06 of 2021: Improvement of Taxpayer Services Regional Workshop

This is a joint initiative with the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Center (PFTAC) and the Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association (PITAA).

Revenue Administrations (RAs) have been challenged by the effects of COVID-19 which is impacting on their ability to engage and provide services to taxpayers in challenging circumstances. Practical ways to provide taxpayer service in the current environment with the objective of increasing voluntary compliance and improving communications with taxpayers will be discussed. Key features of the workshop include the continued importance of taxpayer services in a pandemic environment and the challenge to administrations in delivering services, shifts in taxpayer expectations and their interactions with the administration and opportunities presented to improve voluntary compliance. Countries will share their experiences of their economic stimulus initiatives and service responses to the pandemic and the difficulties they are facing, with a view to developing strategies and plans to build on these experiences to improve services to taxpayers.

Session:

• Session 1: 17 August 2021 (11am- 3pm Fiji Time)
• Session 2: 18 August 2021 (11am- 3pm Fiji Time)
• Session 3: 19 August 2021 (11am- 3pm Fiji Tim
• Session 4: 24 August 2021 (11am- 3pm Fiji Time)
• Session 5: 25 August 2021 (11am- 3pm Fiji Time)

Target Audience: The workshop is designed for officers working directly with taxpayers in the service areas – both at the frontline and development of products to support taxpayers. Where possible it would be useful to include at least one previous attendee from the previous February 2020 workshop on this topic.

Requirements: The nominated participants must have a good understanding of tax administration, the needs of taxpayers and taxpayer services delivery. We ask that there is a maximum of four officers nominated per administration and that you advise on the nomination form how many virtual connections will be needed.

Participation: The workshop will be a mix of training, discussion and group work.  Participants will be expected to contribute to the discussion and provide input on progress in their administration with regard to taxpayer services.

Prepared country presentations will not be required as the purpose of the workshop is to promote dialogue. However, participants may need to lead workgroup discussions during the program workshop.