New computer system to help kick out “sexist” tax practices

Friday 20 April 2018

A method of tax collection branded “sexist” and “archaic” should finally be stamped out, in part thanks to a new Taxes Office computer system.

Tax officials say that they are nearing completion on the first design phase of the new system, which is being developed by Treasury and Social Security staff, who are working with New Zealand-based supplier DataTorque.

The supplier, who has delivered systems in similar-sized jurisdictions such as Swaziland and the Bahamas, started work back in October on a system hoped to simplify the process of filling in tax returns by only asking questions relevant to each islander’s circumstances.

It will also pave the way to resolving the fact that wives currently need their husband’s permission to discuss their tax affairs, but not vice versa – a practice previously slammed by Deputy Geoff Southern as “archaic” in the States Assembly six years ago, and branded “sexist” by islanders on social media. However, it will also have to go hand-in-hand with a law change to be approved by politicians.

Pictured: The new system should go live at the Taxes Office, which is located in Cyril Le Marquand House, in 2019.

Comptroller of Taxes, Richard Summersgill, said that the new system should be in place from 2019, with islanders able to file online and receive automatic assessments in 2020.

“The system will also collect social security contributions, and has the capacity to collect other revenue streams in future,” he commented.

Before that, they will share their plans with islanders in a series of public meetings in June to gain feedback on the proposed new system.

DataTorque CEO, Bill Chatwin, said: “We are proud to have secured this important contract with Jersey and to be working with the transformation team to deliver a state-of-the-art customer experience for the people of Jersey. The progress we have made during the detailed business requirements phase has been excellent and we look forward to the successful completion of this work.”