Functions of the Board

(1) The Board shall have the following specific functions and duties, 9 (a) having due regard to the requirements of Government, monitoring the structure of direct and indirect taxation and providing advice on its improvement in terms of equity and efficiency; (b) preparing or causing to be prepared plans for developing and maintaining an effective and efficient revenue collection system and ensuring that such plans are implemented; (c) co-ordinating the activities of the revenue departments with respect to procedures for information-sharing and to allow for joint training; and (d) providing advice on the negotiation of international taxation agreements and treaties. (2) For the purpose of discharging its functions under this Act the Board may, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, (a) either in response to a request from the Ministry of Finance or on submission from one of the revenue departments, or of its own motion, (i) advise on simplification of existing taxes to improve equity, neutrality and transparency as well as ease of compliance or enforcement; (ii) advise on broadening the existing tax base as well as identifying potential additional tax bases, structures and yields including a statement of their economic impact; 10 (iii) monitor revenue forecasting and department revenue returns against targets; (b) establish, in consultation with the revenue departments, annual performance targets and objectives and monitor their progress on a quarterly basis, making appropriate recommendations for remedial action if needed; (c) provide for the inspection of accounting and security systems of the revenue departments; (d) monitor the staff performance and operational procedures within the revenue departments and recommend changes to improve efficiency and effectiveness; (e) cause to be prepared annual reports on the performance of the revenue departments; (f) establish and maintain systems and procedures for information exchange between revenue departments and other Government agencies; (g) identify training programmes common to officers of all revenue departments, including training in public relations; (h) provide a forum for dealing with common tax administration activities including taxpayer information, education and public relations (i) provide an annual report and review of its own activities. 11 (3) Where any head of a revenue department objects to or disagrees with any direction of the Board he shall so inform the Board in writing and report the matter to the Financial Secretary within fourteen days setting out the reasons for such objection or disagreement. Upon receiving such report, the Financial Secretary shall consult with the Chairperson of the Board and shall either withdraw the direction or instruct the head of the department concerned to comply with the same.