Henry tax review to examine company tax reduction

In a recent speech, Dr Ken Henry discussed some progress of the review into the tax system. Some of the points he raised included:
• the review panel needs to seriously consider the merits of a reduction in the company tax rate
• Australia and New Zealand are now the only two countries in the OECD that maintain dividend imputation systems, though most OECD countries provide some form of shareholder relief, such as through a lower tax rate on dividends or a uniform credit. Dr Henry said, however, that he thought the time had not yet come ‘for dividend imputation to be abandoned’
• the trans-Tasman mutual recognition of imputation credits will be considered by the review panel

- Perspectives on company tax