Businesses are being invited to provide software to help Inland Revenue make it easier for New Zealanders to pay tax as it embarks on its next stage to being a world-leading revenue system.
Greg James, Deputy Commissioner Change at Inland Revenue said an expression of interest has been issued seeking software companies to provide the core technology component required by the department.
"We need experienced and qualified software providers who have implemented similar systems of this size," said Mr James.
"We want a Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution as the technology is flexible and can respond to policy changes and new technologies. Creating a more agile and efficient Inland Revenue means customers will be able to self-manage their tax affairs with certainty.
"A key objective for us is that Inland Revenue’s processes and systems will be ‘simple at the front, smart at the back. To achieve this vision, part of what we need is a stable technology platform.
"Inland Revenue has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make tax easier for everyone and selecting the best software experts is critical to the project’s success," He said.
Eighty-five per cent or $55 billion each year of New Zealand Government revenue is administered by Inland Revenue as well as millions of dollars of social policy entitlements.
"It's vital that we work with the very best experts in the field and we take the upmost care in selecting the right software provider," said Mr James
"We are clear, we need a solution and a software partner who has worked on large projects like this before and has a proven track record. We are not taking any chances when it comes to delivering the best tax system possible for New Zealand and experience counts."
The Expression of Interest is available on the Government Electronic Tenders Service and closes on 24 October 2014. A Request for Proposal is planned for release to the shortlisted COTS providers in March or April 2015.