Revenue Management held the official launch of their E Tax online lodgment system in November 2015. Last week phase two of E Tax was successfully implemented. Phase 2 provides the ability for taxpayers to file their Income Tax (including company and trust returns), VAT, PAYE, and PAYE Reconciliation returns and make payments electronically, as well as giving tax agents improved functionality. The online system allows taxpayers to easily comply with their tax obligations by making their tax records readily accessible. The implementation of this phase has been well accepted and met with enthusiasm by Cook Island taxpayers.

Phase two features include:
Personal Income Tax access: file, pay and view refunds
Company Tax access: file, pay and view refunds
Trust Income Tax access: file, pay and view refunds

Revenue Management is making it easier for taxpayers to keep their tax affairs in order and current. Short thirty-minute online filing seminars will be available later this month to help taxpayers understand the online system.

For further information on E Tax, please do not hesitate to contact Revenue Management on 29365.

END]
04 April 2016

The first meeting of the Budget Support Group (BSG) was held on Wednesday 2 March. Members include heads of key ministries, Bredina Drollet (Ministry of Internal Affairs), Daphne Ringi (Public Service Commission), Ngametua Pokino (Infrastructure Cook Islands), Elizabeth Koteka (Office of the Prime Minister), Garth Henderson (Ministry of Finance and Economic Management), and the Minister of Finance CEO Nooroa Roi. This group will be responsible for preparing the budget recommendations for consideration by Cabinet by the 22 April.

The BSG will start reviewing business plans and budget submissions from government agencies over a 2 week period. A new feature of the budget this year is the joint meetings between the BSG and the Infrastructure Committee (IC), who are responsible for the formation of the capital budget. This is expected to create greater understanding amongst members of the increasing pressure on the fiscal balance coming from growth in both operational and capital spending.

Interviews of Heads of Ministries (HOMs) begin on the 21 March going through to 1 April. The final BSG recommendations to HOMs are expected on the 18 April.

The Budget Policy Statement 2016-17 places emphasis on 8 of the 16 goals in the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) and these include:

Goal 1. Improve Welfare and Reduce inequity and economic hardship

Goal 2. Expand economic opportunities for all; improve economic resilience, and productive employment to ensure decent work for all

Goal 3. Sustainable management of water and sanitation

Goal 5. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable modern transportation and energy for all

Goal 7. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities

Goal 10. A sustainable, engaged Cook Islands People and society

Goal 14. Sustainably use the oceans, lagoons and marine resources for sustainable development

Goal 16. Promote peaceful and just society for all and practice Good Governance promoting transparency and accountability

One of the challenges for the BSG will be to ensure that business plans and budget submissions fit legal mandates of each government agency and, in particular, that new initiatives fit within the framework of the BPS. With an operating budget deficit projected for 2016/17, the BSG will be looking for opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiencies across government agencies.

Input into developing the budget will be sort from the private sector, NGOs, other community groups and traditional leaders.

It is expected that the budget will be finalized and approved by Cabinet in May and tabled in Parliament at the start of June.

[END]

9 March 2016

UN Coordination Officer Cook Islands

Calls for applicants, open to Cook Islands nationals only.

As part of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2013-2017 to establish effective development support for local government and stakeholders, the Cook Islands Government and the United Nations in the Pacific have agreed to establish a UN Coordination Officer in the Cook Islands.
The Coordination Officer will play a key role in supporting the implementation of partnership agreements between the United Nations in the Pacific and the Cook Islands Government.

Deadline for applications is Wednesday 16th March 2016 (UTC+1200)

For further information and to apply for the position click HERE.

The six new Cook Islands coins 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1, $2 and $5 were launched by the Minister of Finance Honourable Mark Brown on 26 May 2015 and were available from the banks on 4 August 2015. 

Initially, the last day for the old Cook Islands coins to be used as legal tender was 31 January 2016, however, this date has been extended to 30 April 2016.  Therefore, as from 1 May 2016 only the new Cook Islands coins and the New Zealand coins will be the legal tender in the Cook Islands.

The public is encouraged to take their old coins to their banks and exchange for new coins by 30 April 2016.

[END] 

27 January 2016