Tax policy development is not just a matter of identifying problems and solutions or thinking up new ideas. It's also about working with others through consultation and getting those ideas successfully implemented through legislation.
We work in a surprising number of areas.
Our Tax and Social Policy Unit deals with a wide range of tax issues that includes individual and business tax, social policy, tax simplification, and the tax side of other government reforms.
We have three special units devoted to large projects like reviewing GST, simplifying the tax system and rewriting tax law to make it more effective and easier to use.
Our International Tax Unit is responsible for international tax matters ranging from the taxation of foreign companies in New Zealand to maintaining tax treaties with other countries.
Our Forecasting Unit plays a key role in the government's annual budget process, forecasting future revenue and reporting on progress, and analysing the tax implications of tax and social policy proposals.
Our Legislative Drafting Unit writes the tax law that is introduced into Parliament and makes it all a reality. In fact, we're the only government department that does its own legislative drafting.
We report regularly on our work and proposals to Cabinet Ministers and parliamentary select committees.
Our publications are widely read. We produce tax policy discussion documents on proposed reforms, commentaries on legislation as it is introduced and explanations of new legislation when it's enacted.
It's a very busy and dynamic place to work, always with several major events taking place at once - and others waiting in the wings.
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