Appendix 2. Supplementary Performance Information

Data and Information Sources

Information used for the purposes of reporting out on Ministry performance measures come from a number of sources. These include:

• INSIGHT: This system is also called the Ministry data warehouse. In this system are data that originate from a number of operational systems. This system is central to supporting decision-making in the Ministry.
• Taxation Administration and Compliance System (TACS): This system is the primary source system for data on the operations of the Ministry tax programs.
• Collection and Loan Administration System (CLAS): This system is used by the Collection and Loan Management Branch and provides data on non-tax debt collection.

In addition to these data processing systems, information for performance measurement is compiled from internal spreadsheets, surveys and questionnaires. Data from these sources is routinely collected and prepared to support the reporting of ministry achievements against the service plan.

Revisions to Ministry Performance Measures

		Goal 1: Maximize voluntary compliance.

		Goal 2: Collection of all outstanding amounts owed to government.

		Goal 3: Fair, efficient and equitable administration that meets customers needs.

		Goal 4: Continuous performance measurement and accountability.

		Goal 5: Highly skilled, motivated and innovative employees.

Deregulation Plan to June 2004

The Ministry has an adjusted total of 13,460 regulatory requirements. The Ministry's original goal was to reduce this number by 33 per cent. However, the Ministry is unable to achieve its regulatory reduction commitment of 33 per cent without potentially compromising the integrity of the tax system in the Province and jeopardizing revenues to government. The ministry will achieve reductions of 21 per cent, but further reductions will negatively impact customer service and may result in fewer revenues to government due to insufficient tax return information.

The Ministry has and continues to explore other opportunities to improve customer service and the regulatory environment. In 2003/04, the Ministry initiated a consolidated forms and policy project aimed at improving customer service by streamlining reporting requirements and making the completion of required forms easier. The ministry has already streamlined several forms and reports required of the taxpayer. For example, the Notice of Change of Ownership/Business Name was combined with another form and the fuel tax filing process was streamlined by implementing a generic fuel tax return. These changes resulted in significant reductions in the amount of information required of the taxpayer. Changes have also been made in how the ministry administers the Mineral Tax Act, resulting in the elimination four forms required from the operators of mines and quarries. Additional reductions are planned and will be made by June, 2004. The Ministry will continue to seek opportunities for regulatory reductions and customer service improvements by streamlining reporting processes and forms.

Further opportunities are anticipated to arise as a function of web-enabling forms and expansion of Ministry internet services.