PRESS RELEASE

(Source : Government Information Centre)
 

IRD's Performance Pledge Annual Report Released

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The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) had delivered nearly all its pledged services within targeted times during the year ended March 31, 2000, the Acting Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mrs Agnes Sin, said today (July 6).

Speaking at the presentation ceremony for IRD's 2000 Best Customer Service Awards, she thanked taxpayers who had shown understanding on the infrequent occasions when the level of service delivered fell short of the standard pledged.

"The pledge of issuing receipts for electronic payments introduced in 1999/2000 was well received by the public. Some 750,000 electronic payments were received during the year and all the receipts were issued within targeted times," she said.

Mrs Sin attributed the IRD's achievement to the commitment of her staff in providing high quality services to taxpayers and said that the Department would continue to improve its service standards to meet the growing expectations of taxpayers.

For 2000/2001, the Department has, among other things, launched the Taxpayer's Charter. From April 2000, it has also introduced three new pledges and enhanced the service levels of seven pledged items.

"An application for new business registration certificate can now be processed in 30 minutes, which is a step jump improvement from the previous standard of four working days, " Mrs Sin said.

She also said that an independent Users' Committee, with a broadly based membership drawn from academics, professionals and tax practitioners, had been established to monitor the Department's performance against its pledges.

The IRD's 2000/2001 performance pledge and 1999/2000 performance pledge annual report are accessible on the IRD website (https://www.info.gov.hk/ird) . Copies are also available for collection at IRD offices and the Public Enquiry Service Centres of District Offices.

At today's presentation ceremony, the IRD Users'Committee members presented prizes to 16 individual winners and winning teams in appreciation of the excellent service they provide to their customers.

The 2000 Best Customer Service Awards Competition drew enthusiastic participation from IRD staff and the public. A record high of 35,000 votes were cast by members of the public who had received front-line services.

End/Thursday, July 6, 2000

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