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Press Release
: News Archives
IRD strives for quality service
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The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has achieved or
exceeded all but one of its performance targets in 2003-04, the
Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mrs Lau Mak Yee-ming, Alice, said
today (June 29).
Announcing the IRD's performance in 2003-04, she thanked taxpayers
for showing their support to the department and attributed the IRD's
achievement to the devotion of all staff who strived to provide
high quality customer-oriented services. Mrs Lau said the department
pledged to continue serving the public better by providing more
varied and better quality services.
Since April, 2003, the department has increased efficiency in return
processing. The time required for processing the majority of Property
Tax Returns and Composite Tax Returns has been shortened from nine
months to six months resulting in most taxpayers receiving their
notices of assessment earlier. Taxpayers do not, however, have to
settle their tax bills earlier. In fact, the IRD sets the time limit
for tax payment at approximately the same date as previous years
so as to allow taxpayers ample time to make the necessary financial
arrangements.
"We are steadily improving our services. This year, the IRD
has redesigned the internet filing procedures, introduced three
new functions - 'retrieval', 'save and resume' and 'viewing and
printing' - and offered a two-week extension to entice taxpayers
to file their returns through the internet or by telephone. Up to
mid-June, the number of e-returns received had already exceeded
that for the whole of last year. To further boost the take-up rate,
the IRD is studying the feasibility of sending e-composite tax returns
to previous e-filers and designing a more user-friendly e-profits
tax return. These plans will be implemented in phases over the next
two years," she said.
Mrs Lau also thanked members of the IRD Users' Committee, an independent
body comprised of professionals and academics, for the contributions
they have made in monitoring and enhancing the department's performance.
At today's presentation ceremony for the IRD's 2004 Best Customer
Service Awards, the committee members presented prizes to 20 individual
and group winners chosen by taxpayers. "A taxpayer's vote means
support and encouragement which provides a strong impetus for IRD
to advance further," Mrs Lau said. "Our efforts were also
recognised in the recent 2003-04 Outstanding Customer Service Award
Competition organised by the Civil Service Bureau. The department
was honoured to be selected as third place-getter in the department
award category and champion in the counter service team award category."
The IRD's 2004-05 performance pledge and 2003-04 performance pledge
annual report are available on the IRD website (www.ird.gov.hk).
Copies are also available for collection at IRD offices and the
Public Enquiry Service Centres of District Offices.
Ends/Tuesday, June 29, 2004
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