Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) met with the Hon. Guy Barnett MP, Deputy Premier and Treasurer of Tasmania, to discuss opportunities for state tax reform and support for small businesses.

The meeting, held earlier this year, brought together members of the Tasmanian Council and the Tasmanian representative on the CA ANZ Regional and Rural Advisory Committee. It focused on practical ways to improve the state’s tax system and reduce red tape for businesses and practitioners.

Advocating for smarter tax systems

CA ANZ outlined several key recommendations to the Deputy Premier, including:

• Broad-based tax reform: Supporting the expansion of the GST base and/or rate to replace less efficient taxes.
• Streamlining payroll tax: Proposing the use of Single Touch Payroll data to simplify payroll tax reporting.
• Cyber support for small business: Highlighting the need for better resources to help small businesses meet cyber security standards.

The discussion also addressed the lack of access to Prospective Opinions from the State Revenue Office (SRO), which has created uncertainty for practitioners. CA ANZ shared insights from the Australian Taxation Office and other state revenue offices, where clearer processes exist for private rulings on complex matters.

Payroll tax concerns for GPs

A key issue raised was the ongoing uncertainty around payroll tax for General Practitioners (GPs). Despite a pre-election commitment from the Liberal Party to provide clarity, no formal guidance has been issued.

CA ANZ urged the Tasmanian Government to consider a formal exemption for genuinely contracted GPs. Alternatively, the organisation recommended a moratorium on retrospective payroll tax assessments, similar to the approach taken in Victoria. Clear guidelines were also requested to help GPs understand how to qualify for contractor exemptions.

Continued engagement and advocacy

The Deputy Premier welcomed further engagement with CA ANZ. A summary paper outlining the matters discussed has been provided to the Tasmanian Government.

State-based advocacy remains a priority for CA ANZ. More meetings with government representatives are planned throughout the year, along with member events that offer opportunities to hear directly from policymakers.

Members are encouraged to share issues they would like CA ANZ to raise with government by contacting a Tasmanian Councillor or emailing [email protected].