 |
|
|
| |
|
2002/03 Annual Service
Plan Report
Ministry of Provincial Revenue |
|
| |
Year-at-a-Glance Highlights
The Ministry of Provincial Revenue was created on June 5, 2001.
The government's goal was to consolidate most government revenue
and debt-related functions in one location, to achieve economies
of scale, expertise and efficiencies and to ensure that government
receives the revenue it is due from all sources.
The Ministry of Provincial Revenue provides a central service to
the province of British Columbia for revenue and debt administration
and collection — including income, consumption, resource and
property taxes — as well as Medical Services Plan premiums,
certain fees and outstanding debts and receivables.
The ministry manages billings and receivables, tax appeals, and
administers loans on behalf of the province. We work with taxpayers,
debtors and government to promote voluntary compliance through public
education, assistance and service.
The ministry also represents British Columbia with Canada Customs
and Revenue Agency with respect to the taxation statutes they administer
on our behalf. The ministry handles tax collection functions for
other agencies such as the Greater Vancouver Transit Authority,
Build BC and local governments.
Key achievements and significant events for the ministry in the
fiscal year 2002 – 2003 are listed below in relation to the
five goals of the ministry:
1. Maximizing voluntary compliance
| Voluntary compliance means customers take
responsibility to pay their obligations without requiring the
ministry to enforce payment. Voluntary compliance is the best
means of collecting revenue and debt. The ministry is committed
to improving services and maximizing voluntary compliance. |
- Completed the British Columbia personal income tax residency
project, Phase 1. The project is a joint audit initiative
with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) focusing on
the residency of individual tax filers residing in British Columbia
but indicating residency in another province. The project resulted
in significant additional income tax revenues being recovered
to the province.
- Completed a cross-ministry project that introduced the use of
personal computer/telephone banking for individual 2002 rural
property tax payments.
- During this fiscal year, the number of businesses participating
in Internet filing programs increased by 35 per cent (from 650
to 990).
2. Collecting all outstanding amounts owed to government
| When a taxpayer fails to remit amounts owed
to government, the ministry undertakes audit and enforcement
activities. These activities help to ensure amounts owed are
collected, deter customers who might otherwise avoid paying,
and link directly to Goal 1 as a key factor in increasing voluntary
compliance. |
- Exceeded a number of key ministry targets including incremental
revenue, average assessment per auditor and payments of accounts
receivable per collector.
- Transferred MSP premium billing and collections from the Ministry
of Health Services on September 1, 2002.
- Increased usage of third-party demands by approximately 50 per
cent, resulting in $13 million in tax collections.
- Reduced the number and dollar amount of tax accounts receivable.
- Collected $38 million in non-tax overdue debt.
3. Fair, efficient and equitable administration that meets customers'
needs
| The ministry is committed to meeting customers'
needs by improving the regulatory and administrative frameworks
for tax and debt collection. The ministry will continue to make
improvements to ease the administrative burden on customers
and to enhance the business climate within British Columbia. |
- Administered the BC Family Bonus program by processing over
three million taxpayer records and payments of over $150 million
to more than 220,000 families.
- Administered the timely delivery by CCRA of the BC Energy Rebate
to approximately 1.136 million individual recipients involving
payments of $76.5 million.
- Improved the timeliness of the appeals process to produce final
decisions from 13.2 to 11.4 months.
- Administered the Forest Renewal British Columbia and CCRA Protocol
Agreement that provides for the payment of certain income tax
amounts to eligible clients who received payments in excess of
$19 million under the Forest Workers Transition Program.
- Implemented procedures to support the phase out of the Corporation
Capital Tax program for non-financial corporations, including
an enhanced non-filer compliance initiative to ensure the fair
and equitable treatment of taxpayers.
- Transferred Overdue Direct Lend student debt, non-motor vehicle
related court fines and additional Medical Service Plan accounts
receivable for collection.
4. Continuous performance improvement and accountability
| With the ministry's focused mandate, an
opportunity exists to strengthen the organization's infrastructure,
effectiveness and accountability for its performance. |
- Successful introduction of direct/electronic access of faxed
nil tax returns into the Tax Administration and Compliance System
(TACS).
- The Single Change of Business Address (SCOBA) went live on the
Internet in July 2002. This initiative allows a business to submit
its address only once and have the address automatically updated
for all participating partner agencies.
- Reviewed and streamlined the Disabled Fuel Tax Refund Claims
program. As a result, the Refund Section is able to process over
950 claims a week, compared to 500 claims prior to the review.
- Made substantial progress towards developing a method to electronically
file property transfer forms in conjunction with Land Titles Branch.
- Enhanced Automated Call Distribution (ACD) lines resulting in
a 97 per cent pick up rate of all inbound phone calls.
- Streamlined online credit card payment processing for non-tax
debt.
5. Highly skilled, motivated and innovative employees
| As an organization that wants to continue
to excel, the ministry relies on the strength, skills and commitment
of its staff. The ministry is nurturing a learning environment
with staff development focused on key competencies and addressing
succession issues. |
- Developed the ministry's Human Resources Management Plan and
completed an employee survey with an overall satisfaction rating
of 80 per cent.
- Established succession plans for key positions.
- Commenced implementation of an employee learning and development
plan.
- The deputy minister met with all employees to promote communication
and understanding of the ministry and its service plan.
|
|
