Filing tax returns on-line – major enhancements to the system

This week, the Income Tax Office is making the usual annual issue of tax returns so that taxpayers can report their income for 2011.

Since the beginning of 2008, taxpayers have been able to file their income tax returns using an on-line facility but, to date, the take up has not been great (approximately 5% of tax returns are currently returned electronically).

Rob Gray, the Director of Income Tax, said:

“Up to now, there have been relatively few benefits for taxpayers who file their tax returns on-line.  When the system was first introduced, in 2008, the principal benefit was the speed with which the tax return reached the Income Tax Office.  More recently, we introduced a “pre-filling” facility so that once an individual’s return had been filed on-line, subsequent returns automatically had some text entered which avoids part of the chore of completing a paper tax return.  We recognised, however, that if we wanted to make on-line filing the norm, rather than the exception, in the future, we had to make the benefits for taxpayers filing electronically much more significant than they are currently.  That is why, from 13 January 2012, we are introducing two major enhancements:

• The introduction of an automatic assessing facility for individuals, and
• entry into a free prize draw for individuals who file their returns using the on-line system.”

Why are you encouraging online filing … what is wrong with the way it has always been done?  There is nothing “wrong” with someone completing a paper return, in the same way as there is nothing wrong with someone using an “old fashioned” manual typewriter, but the fact of the matter is that we now live in a digital age and many people no longer use the same kind of computers, telephones, cars and household appliances that were used 5 or 10 years ago let alone 40, 50 or 60 years ago so why should the tax system be an exception?  There are economic and environmental benefits to be gained by encouraging a better take up of the use of on-line facilities when island residents need to interact with the States, and income tax is an obvious example.

How will the automatic assessment facility work?  Once a return is filed electronically, it will be received into the Income Tax Office computer system and the contents of the return will be examined, automatically, by computer, using a comprehensive set of predetermined parameters.  The return will also be checked against data held within the Tax Office computer system, such as details of wages which have been returned by employers. 

So long as the return passes those checks and parameters, it should be eligible to be automatically assessed, which means that an income tax assessment will be issued without any human intervention.  For such cases, our target is to issue an assessment within ten working days of receipt of the return.

What if a return fails these checks?  If a return does not pass the checks or fails to meet the preset parameters, it will be rejected from the automatic assessing system and brought to the attention of a Tax Assessor.  The Assessor will know the reason why the return was rejected.  If that matter can be resolved without further delay, the return will be passed back into the automatic assessing process.

Even if it is not possible to resolve the issue immediately, any return which is filed on-line will be dealt with in priority to a return submitted in paper form.

Is the on-line filing system safe and secure?  Yes. Since its introduction there have been no reported incidents of unauthorised access and every form submitted has been successfully received by the Income Tax Office.

Is registering for on-line filing complicated?  No.  Previously, users have had two passwords to use the system – one to enter the States of Guernsey on-line services site, and another to enter the on-line tax return facility.  In order to make the system more user-friendly, however, we are removing the need to have a second password. 

Why have the free prize draw?  There are benefits for taxpayers, the Income Tax Office and the island generally, from more people using the on-line filing facility.  For taxpayers, they will be able to file their returns quicker than sending them by post or hand delivering them to the Income Tax Office.  Returns filed on-line will be assessed more quickly so that people will either receive any repayments that are due to them sooner than they would if sending in a paper turn or, if they owe additional tax, they will know this sooner rather than later so they can more easily plan their personal finances.  A common complaint we receive is that a return is sent in to the Tax Office and nothing is heard for several months.  This is inevitable when all returns are examined by Assessors.  The ability to use an on-line filing system combined with the automatic assessing enhancement means that many taxpayers will have more control over their income tax affairs.  Obviously, the automatic assessing facility is likely to be most efficient for relatively straightforward income tax returns, but even those taxpayers with more complicated financial affairs will benefit because returns sent in electronically will be dealt with in priority to those sent in paper form.

For the Income Tax Office, clearly if returns can be dealt with through an automatic assessing function, this will free up staff time from mundane data processing, which can be spent on dealing with queries from people who have real tax problems, tax returns which cannot be automatically assessed and it will also allow resources to be diverted to tackle tax evasion and tax avoidance.

The island generally will also benefit because, in the course of time, it may be possible for the Income Tax Office to make significant reduction in costs if a large number of islanders choose to file their returns electronically.  In addition, those using the on-line filing system have the option to elect not to receive a paper return in the future, and this will not only have savings implications for the States but also beneficial environmental consequences.

Because of the potential benefits that arise if many more people are encouraged to use the on-line filing facility than is currently the case, the Treasury & Resources Department has authorised the Director of Income Tax to enter people who file returns on-line into a free prize draw. 

How will the prize draw work?  The prize draw will be drawn in December and people who have filed on-line up to 30 November will be eligible (although political members and staff of the Treasury & Resources Department will be excluded from eligibility for the free prize draw).  There will be three cash prizes and every entrant has a chance to win one.  The prizes will be £2,500, £1,500 and £1,000. 

The prizes will be funded from the anticipated savings on postage, stationery, etc, that increased use of the on-line filing facility will create.  The Director of Income Tax has not received any additional funding, over and above the normal expenditure budget allocated to the Income Tax Office, to fund the prize draw.

The full terms and conditions of the prize draw can be found on the Income Tax Office website – www.gov.gg/tax.

Why only returns received up to 30 November? With effect from this year, a new regime for imposing penalties is being introduced for anyone who does not send in their returns on time. It was felt that only those who comply with the Law and send their returns in on time should be eligible for a chance to win a prize.

The new system sounds complicated – will it work?  There is no doubt that the system that has been introduced to deal with automatic assessing is complex.  The parameters and other checks that the computer will carry out on a return are designed to keep the possibility of errors and fraud to a minimum.  Extensive testing has been carried out “off-line” but, as with all computer systems, whether or not it works will only be known once the “live” switch is thrown and returns from real taxpayers start to be received.

The Income Tax Office is fully prepared for the possibility that there may be some “teething problems” and, indeed, anyone using the system who encounters any problems/errors is encouraged to contact the Income Tax Office on 724711

Does Guernsey really need this … isn’t our tax system straightforward?  We are now in the second decade of the 21st century yet, to a significant extent, the system in Guernsey of issuing paper returns to most taxpayers and manually processing them when they are submitted is still based on systems put in place in the early-20th century.  Many countries around the world now successfully use comprehensive on-line filing facilities for their taxpayers.  There is no reason why the system should not work well in Guernsey, indeed having a tax system which is relatively straightforward should make the use of on-line systems even more attractive and beneficial.

This is why the Income Tax Office considers an efficient, safe and secure on-line filing system to be a necessity rather than a desirable option, especially in these difficult economic times when it is necessary to limit government spending as much as possible .  Issuing paper returns to the majority of the taxpaying public, and having highly trained officers examining what are often very straightforward returns, is not a good use of resources.

Over the next few years, the Income Tax Office will continue to make further refinements to the on-line filing system where these are considered to be desirable and is also looking at other aspects of tax administration with a view to modernising procedures and introducing economies wherever possible.  One example already decided is that with effect from 2013, companies will be required to file their returns electronically in place of sending paper returns and copies of their accounts to the Income Tax Office.

The enhancements made this year are not the end of the journey, therefore, but rather they represent further steps along the road leading to even more improvements to come in the future.

Have there been any other changes this year?  Also new, for the latest tax return, are 2 initiatives being introduced to assist small or part time businesses and self-employed persons.  When completing their returns they will have a choice of submitting details of their business income by submitting a 3 line account (if they have a business where the turnover is less than £15,000) or, for more substantial businesses, by using a “profit & loss” template, set up by the Income Tax Office.  By providing this service it should mean that information is received in a manner that is acceptable to the Tax Office and will help the forms to be processed more quickly.

Refuse Facilities - Christmas and New Year 2011

			Dustcart	Impot	Recycling
Thursday	15th December	Homecoming	No Round	Closed	Unmanned
Saturday	24th December	Christmas Eve	Town 14:30 to 16:30	08:00 to 13:00	Manned 14:00 to 16:00
Sunday	25th December	Christmas Day	No Round	Closed	Unmanned
Monday	26th December	Boxing Day	No Round	Closed	Unmanned
Tuesday	27th December	Bank Holiday	Monday Round	Closed	Checked only
Wednesday	28th December		Tuesday Round	Open	Normal
Thursday	29th December		Wednesday Round, Ash & Cardboard	Open	Normal
Friday	30th December		Friday Round	Open	Normal
Saturday	31st December	New Years Eve	Town 14:30 to 16:30	08:00 to 13:00	Manned 14:00 to 16:00
Sunday	1st January	New Years Day	No Round	Closed	Unmanned
Monday	2nd January	Bank Holiday	No Round	Closed	Unmanned
Tuesday	3rd January		Monday Round	Open	Normal
Wednesday	4th January		Tuesday Round	Open	Normal
Thursday	5th January		Wednesday Round, Ash & Cardboard	Open	Normal
Friday	6th January		Friday Round	Open	Normal

States Works Department - Snow Action Plan 2011-2012

Action Plan for road & footpath clearance in the event of prolonged snow fall & freezing conditions.

Typical condition:

1. Limited Snow Fall: In Alderney snowfall is usually limited and may fall overnight but often has melted by mid day the following day.
2. Severe conditions: On occasions, as 7th January & 3rd December 2010, snow had fallen over a number of days and began melting however with a dropping thermometer roads froze over night and subsequent thawing was slow.

Action: All our actions are dependant of equipment available and the ability to move vehicles and equipment in a safe manner. Experience shows that moving plant and vehicles from the Butes can be particularly hazardous before some grit is spread of the thaw has commenced.

What should we endeavour to achieve?

Roads: It is necessary to ensure main routes are passable, the priority being given to emergency & high priority services.  The route being from the Hospital along Crabby, St John’s & Fire Brigade, via the Harbour up Braye Hill through town via Marais Square on to the Airport. In addition, because of the one way system around St Anne, a route from Braye Hill via the Val, Heche & Chemin du Menieur should be treated. This would ensure deliveries from the Harbour and Airport to the town area could be maintained. Grand Val (Airport Road) and link to airport buildings would be treated if the airport was notified as being open for flights. In addition access from the Rocquettes to the Butes Car Park should be maintained wherever possible.

The above routes also give access to the emergency gate to the school on Braye Road which give the majority of children a walking route to school.

Footpaths/ Walking Route: Efforts should be made to ensure footpaths are open through Victoria Street, Lower High Street to Connaught Square & Marais Square. In addition access to the Medical practice in Ollivier Street should be included.

What action should be taken?

It is not intended that we would take pre-emptive action; ours would be a reactive response depending on the severity of the conditions.

In the event of light snow and a rising thermometer it is assumed that nature would take its course and thawing would occur before any substantial disruption was caused.

In heavier snow and freezing condition:

Roads: The above route would be checked regularly and in the event of it becoming impassable “beach grit” would be spread to improve grip.

Walking Route: The footpath to one side of the road on the route referred to above will be treated with either grit, Rock Salt or a mixture; this will be supplemented by bins containing a mixture of grit and rock salt in strategic locations. Initially these will be Butes, Rocquettes, QEII Street, Museum & Marais Square.

The “bins” will be deployed from the end of November to March unless a long term forecast suggests extreme conditions outside these dates.

Further Action in the event of Long Term Disruption

In the event of long term disruption due to snow and ice other routes would be reviewed with priority given to access to necessary locations for States Waterboard and other statutory undertaking by discussion. Longis Road as far as Kiln Farm would also be considered a priority to allow milk deliveries and the like.
 
Further walking routes to town would be gritted if the forecasts suggested extended icy conditions

Material

Beach grit will assist with traction but does little to accelerate thawing; this will therefore be used on roads.

Rock Salt assists with thawing and would be used, mixed with grit, on footpaths and “blackspots”.

Note: Rock Salt will not be applied in locations where it would find its way into the water collection system.

Sweeping and or shovelling snow off of footpaths and walkways should be avoided unless rock salt is applied as this can lead to icing.

Co-ordination:
In the event of severe conditions the Works Department should be kept notified on either land line 822408 or mobile 07781 104754 of any issues.


TJB.

Snow Action Plan 2011-2012 Maps.pdf Download this document in Adobe PDF. [download]

Snow Action Plan 2011-2012.docx Download this document in Microsoft Word format. [download]

AEL - POWER SUPPLY DISRUPTION

Please be advised that Alderney Electricity Ltd will be carrying out essential repairs to the electrical distribution network in the area of Les Roches, Longis Road, Essex Valley, Essex Castle, Mannez, Chateau L’Etoc, Coastguards, Whitegates, The Arsenal and Banuqage from 10pm on Sunday 18th December 2011 until 7am Monday 19th December 2011.   During this time you will have no electricity supply.

AEL apologises for any inconvenience caused during this period.

In an emergency and during this period please contact the Power Station on 822155.

Kind Regards,

Alderney Electricity Ltd

Holiday Opening Hours 2011

Alderney Bonfire Night - Saturday November 5th

AVIATOR COUPLE TAKE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE AT THE 15th ANNUAL ALDERNEY AIR RACES

The British Air Racing Champion for 2011 was decided on the 24th and 25th September, when the last in a series of eight races staged around Britain, took place in Alderney.  The event, sponsored by Aurigny Air Services and the States of Alderney attracted pilots from Britain, Ireland, France and as far afield as Palma, Majorca, who took to the air for two handicap races in an attempt to become the British Air Racing Champion for 2011.

After two gripping days of racing the 2011 British Air Racing Champion title was awarded to a husband and wife duo Mr and Mrs Boot from the Isle of Man.  The pilot, Geoffrey Boot and his wife Suzie who was navigating stole the race in their Siai Machetti SF260 which reached speeds of 203 mph during the races.

Geoffrey Boot said, "We have been air racing for twenty years, and it is quite an accolade to win the British Air Racing Championship for the first time, especially with the season finishing in such a wonderful place as Alderney.  This is the 2nd time winning the European Championship, the previous time being in 2000.  We are absolutely thrilled to have won it again and it was all down to the last race here.”

The flying couple also won five other awards and took home a selection of trophies, cups and plates.

Both Alderney races involved six laps of a 100 mile circuit that follows the island’s south coast to Fort Raz, across to Fort Albert and the Breakwater, the island of Burhou, around the Les Casquets lighthouse and then due east back to the airport.

Ralph Burridge, Race Event Coordinator said “That really was a cracking weekend”. So said Peter Earp, the event co-ordinator of the Royal Aero Club Racing Team, a sentiment with which I whole-heartedly agree. The weather was ideal for racing, with light winds and good visibility. Apart from being the venue of the final race at which both the British and the European Championships are decided, by having the largest number of aircraft racing than at any other venue during the season, the racing community gave Alderney another ‘feather in its cap.”

Pete Cunningham of Aurigny Air Services said “Thank you all for coming, you always seem to bring great weather with you.  We look forward to seeing you next year, when Aurigny will continue to sponsor this event.”

Attachments - photographs taken by Joanna Parmentier

Alderney Harbour Area one-way system

Dear Road User

Please note that from 6am Thursday 1st September Braye Street will revert back to being a one way street i.e. to the original route before the works to the Commercial Quay were carried out.  Traffic will not be able to enter Braye Street from the Moorings (& Jean Stores) and this route will display a No Entry sign.  Entry to Braye Street will be via The Cutting and past the Braye Chippy and Sailing Club, across the new concrete stretch of road and past the Braye Beach Beach Hotel on your left and the First and Last Restaurant on your right.

At this stage there will be no changes to the parking areas along Braye Street but motorists and pedestrians are asked to exercise caution until all are used to the revised route.

Heavy Goods vehicle drivers should note there is a 3.5 ton weight limit in place along the new concrete road extension of Braye Street and comply with this restriction unless the vehicle is specifically servicing the properties along the one way route from the harbour to the Moorings. Commercial vehicles from the harbour/quay area that are not delivering/picking up goods from the one way Braye Street area shall continue to use the route past the Sailing Club and Braye Chippy.

Thank you for your consideration.

Julie

Julie B Turner
States Engineer

For and on behalf of the States of Alderney

Tel: 01481 825522
Email: julie.turner@gov.gg

States of Alderney
PO Box 1
Alderney
GUERNSEY
GY9 1AA