Have your say: Tax Reform
The Federal Government will hold a forum on tax reform in October to help identify priorities and directions for the future of taxation in Australia.
I’d like to invite First 5000 members to share their views on the way forward by presenting their ideas as blogs on our site ahead of the forum.
The forum will continue the conversation the Government started with the release of the Australia’s Future Tax System Review (tax review) last year. It will focus on the broad sweep of topics covered in the tax review, and will include six sessions: personal tax, transfer payments, business tax, state taxes, environmental and social taxes, and tax system governance.
Your blogs and comments will be presented as part of a submission to the forum on tax reform.
Following the forum, the Government will facilitate a debate on tax reform in the Australian Parliament.
With your ideas the Government can make informed decisions about the direction of taxation in Australia, and how it relates to mid sized companies.
Further information is available at http://www.futuretax.gov.au. You can upload your blogs directly to the site or email them to hhull@openforum.com.au.

Helen Hull is the editor of First 5000, the leading network for mid-sized businesses in Australia.
Roger Ancliffe
July 15, 2015 at 4:52 am
Do away with Land Tax (this
Do away with Land Tax (this only generates higher rents, shortage of rental properties, no incentive for investments)
People over the age of 65 be tax free on an income less than $100,000 which in turn will generate more jobs as these pensioners will spend more.
Ever since I was 16 (now 69) I always thought a better system would be across the board tax (GST-VAT) on all spending and no tax on income under todays value lets say $100,000.
Give a incentive to work. lets say one would only pay tax on your basic wage (your first ACTUAL 38 hours on the job) hours over 38 hours be tax free.
Australia income tax free only GST!!!.
Suelen McCallum
September 9, 2011 at 5:07 am
Rather than concentrate on
Rather than concentrate on tax legislation, I would like to see more direction towards better management for the ATO itself. Poor management has led to abuse of the system and the need to introduce more draconian laws.
Larry Phillips
September 2, 2011 at 1:40 am
It would seem that the govt
It would seem that the govt wants Australians to bring to their attention possible taxes they have not thought of so they can sting us with more taxes.
Laurence Strano
September 2, 2011 at 1:39 am
Simplicity is what is
Simplicity is what is needed.The GST was ok as it was for the bulk of it levied on goods and services at the source but still it was reasonably complex for people.The BAS can now be done online so that is a great help.The problem is that the carbon tax is ill founded,does not have bipartisan support and is unlikely to assist environmentally.Our greatest problem is our dual economy but the measures again have failed to be implemented in a meaningful manner.The number one priority has got to be simplicity.Bipartisan support would be second priority.The third priority would be meaningfulness in assisting the aged and those disadvantaged in our community (i.e. that it may result in a higher threshold for income taxes as well as enable transference of monies to those via the pensions,disabilities,the homeless). The fourth priority would be honesty or clarity of purpose.Fifthly if it is controversial a mandate is needed.