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The Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mr Anthony Au-Yeung, releasing his annual performance pledge report today (Friday), announced that the department had delivered almost all of its pledged services within target during the year to March 31.
He said only in the personal enquiries area did actual performance fall short of the target. This, he explained, was attributable to an increased number of questions asked by personal callers relating to the newly introduced composite tax return, which was issued for the first time in May last year, adding that remedial measures had been effective in addressing the problem.
Mr Au-Yeung also highlighted a number of the department's performance results for the year (see Annex), The Commissioner said although he was pleased with the results, the department would not become complacent and was constantly striving for further improvements. To this end, he noted the Hong Kong Polytechnic University had been commissioned, in February this year, to conduct an independent survey of the effectiveness and quality of the department's enquiry services. He said the survey found IRD to be an efficient provider of quality service to the public.
In the light of last year's achievements, the Commissioner has enhanced some service standards in the areas of telephone enquiries, return processing, business registration and estate duty for the present year. Improvements to automated telephone answering system will also speed-up the public's access to information.
He said he was able to upgrade these areas because of staff support and constructive input from the Users' Committee.
Mr Au-Yeung said the department's overall achievement was attributable to his staff's appreciation of the needs of the public and their carnest endeavours to fulfil
them.
To show appreciation, letters of commendation were presented to the best counter staff from eight of the department's front-line service areas by the chairman of the Users' Committee, Mr Michael Olesnicky.
The Commissioner also thanked taxpayers who had shown understanding on the occasions when the level of services delivered had fallen short of the standards pledged.
The Commissioner said copies of the performance pledge leaflet and the 1994- 95 annual report are available from the Inland Revenue Department's Enquiry Service Centre at Revenue Tower, Wan Chai, and its two collection offices in Kowloon and Tsuen Wan. Copies will also be available from District Offices early next month.
End/Friday, June 30, 1995