The Assistant Treasurer Senator Rod Kemp today referred to press reports that the Government is going to pay an automatic tax refund of about $500 for each taxpayer.
The newspaper story is apparently based on answers to Questions on Notice which were tabled in Parliament last November (copies attached).
The Government is continually reviewing ways of simplifying tax returns.
Some time ago the Government carried out some basic research of options to simplify income tax returns. This research did not allow any clear conclusions to be drawn at this stage.
It is not correct to say that the Government has entered into a commitment for the next election to the effect that there will be automatic tax refunds.
The Government will continue to look at ways to further simplify the tax system.
MELBOURNE
7 January, 2001
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