THE VIABILITY OF A PRE-FILLED INCOME TAX RETURN SYSTEM FOR MALAYSIA

Authors

  • Idawati Ibrahim Curtin University
  • Jeff Pope Curtin University

Abstract

Many countries have made various efforts to reduce tax non-compliance and the related compliance costs. These efforts include a pre-filled return system that no longer requires taxpayers to fill-up their tax return form. The aim of this paper is to examine the viability of a pre-filled return system for Malaysia. Specifically, five critical success factors suggested by the Organisation for Economic and Co-operation Development are examined in the Malaysian context. It is found that the pre-filled return system could prove viable due to the existing accurate withholding system, high integrity taxpayer identifiers and effective use of technology. The biggest challenge is posed by the need for comprehensive systems of third-party reporting to the revenue body and compatible legislative framework. The paper concludes that under the current Malaysian tax structure, a partially pre-filled return system is a more viable choice; a fully pre-filled return system is possible for higher detection of non-compliance.

References

Abdul, M. (2001) Personal income tax non-compliance in Malaysia. PhD Thesis. Victoria University.

AljeffriDean (2009) Budget 2010: Summary & comments. AljeffriDean, Kuala Lumpur.

All-Party Parliamentary Taxation Group (2009) Pre-populated returns. Technology Policy Institute, Washington.

Bankman, J. (2005) Simple filing for average citizens: The California ReadyReturn. Tax Analysts. Retrieved: 28 February 28 from <http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/files/2005-11952-1.pdf>

Bernama. (2010) MyID - One Number For All Transactions. 18 January 2010. Retrieve: 12 February 2011 from <http://www.mampu.gov.my/myid_info/berita/Bernama%20-%20english>

Bird, R. and Zolt, E. (2008) Technology and taxation in developing countries: From hand to mouse. National Tax Journal, 61 (4, Part 2) pp 791-821.

Choong, K. (2009) Malaysian Taxation: Principles and Practice. Info World, Kuala Lumpur.

Danish Ministry of Taxation. (2008) Tax in Denmark 2008. Retrieved: 3 March 2011 from <http://www.skm.dk/foreign/english/taxindenmark2008/>

Davidson, S. (2009) Should Australian taxpayers lodge annual tax-returns? Institute of Public Affairs, Melbourne. Retrieve: 05 May 2009 from <http://www.ipa.org.au/publications/1672/should-australian-taxpayers-lodge-annual-tax-returns-/pg/2>

Dircksen, J. (2005) California's ReadyReturn program: Fool's gold in the Golden State. National Taxpayers Union. Retrieved: 1 March 2010 from <http://www.ntu.org/in-your-state/california/californias-ready-return.html>

Drum, P. (2004) The price of tax cuts and simplification. Australian CPA, Jun pp 40-42.

Evans, C. (2004) Diminishing returns: The case for reduced annual filing for personal income taxpayers in Australia. Australian Tax Review, 33 (3) pp 168-181.

Evans, C. (2008) Taxation compliance and administrative costs: An overview. In M. Lang, C. Obermair, J. Schuch, C. Staringer and P. Weninger (eds.) Tax Compliance Costs for Companies in an Enlarged European Community. Kluwer Law International, The Netherlands.

Evans, C., Ritchie, K., Tran-Nam, B. and Walpole, M. (1997) A Report into Taxpayer Costs of Compliance. Australian Government Publication Service, Canberra.

Evans, C. and Tran-Nam, B. (2010) Managing tax system complexity: Building bridges through pre-filled tax returns. Australian Tax Forum, 25 (2) pp 245-274.

Evans, C. & Tran-Nam, B. (2011) Australia. In: Vaillancourt, F. (ed.) Prefilled Personal Income Tax Returns: A Comparative Analysis of Australia, Belgium, California, Quebec, and Spain. Fraser Institute, Quebec.

Franchise Tax Board (2009) Franchise Tax Board: Report to the Legislature. Franchise Tax Board, State of California.

Gale, W. and Holtzblatt, J. (1997) On the possibility of a no-return tax system. National Tax Journal, 50 (3) pp 475-485.

Goolsbee, A. (2004) The turbo tax revolution: Can technology solve tax complexity? In H. Aaron and J. Slemrod (eds.) The Crisis in Tax Administration. Brookings Institution Press, Washington, DC.

Goolsbee, A. (2006) The ‘simple return’: Reducing America’s tax burden through return-free filing. Discussion Paper for the Hamilton Project. Retrieved: 1 March 2010 from

Greni, S. (2005) Successful strategies for striking the balance between service and enforcement activities. Second Meeting of the Forum on Tax Administration. OECD, Dublin.

Guyton, J. L., O'Hare, J. F., Stavrianos, M. P. & Toder, E. J. (2003) Estimating the compliance cost of the U.S. individual income tax. National Tax Journal, 56 (3) pp 673-688.

Highfield, R. (2006) Pre-populated income tax returns: The next "big thing" in reform of the administration of Australia's personal income tax system? In M. McKerchar and M. Walpole (eds.) Further Global Challenges in Tax Administration. Fiscal Publication, Birmingham.

Holtzblatt, J. (2007) Implications of return-free tax systems for the structure of the individual income tax. FinanzArchiv: Public Finance Analysis, 63 (3) pp 327-349.

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). (2005) IRAS: New pre-filled e-filing screen and filing deadline extended. IRAS, Singapore. Retrieved: 19 December 2010 from <http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/news.aspx?id=986>

Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) (2006) Annual report 2005. IRBM, Kuala Lumpur.

Downloads

Published

2011-12-30

How to Cite

Ibrahim, I. . ., & Pope, J. . (2011). THE VIABILITY OF A PRE-FILLED INCOME TAX RETURN SYSTEM FOR MALAYSIA. The Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government, 17(2), 84–100. Retrieved from https://cibgp.com/au/index.php/1323-6903/article/view/89