Government hopes to roll out a new system for electronic filing and payment of taxes to all tax-payers within the next calendar year, the Department of Communications and Information announced yesterday.

In keeping with a Throne Speech commitment to move toward e-Government in as many avenues as possible, the Officer of the Tax Commissioner (OTC) launched the system for 600 taxpayers in 2002.

"OTC e-tax was designed to provide a simple, fast, efficient and secure method of filing and paying taxes on-line," the press release said.

"Currently, only payroll tax is filed and paid on-line, however other taxes, including land tax, will be added to the system in a phased approach in 2003."

The tax office also intends to provide a facility to view returns previously filed on-line and, in addition, view the status of their accounts.

Some of those included in the first wave of on-line taxpayers also offered their endorsements for the new system.

"I found it to be fast, simple and efficient," said Conyers, Dill and Pearman general manager John Buckley. "We look forward to using it for future returns."

Meanwhile Alea (Bermuda) vice president Stuart MacKellar said the e-tax system was far more efficient as well as easy to use.

The system was developed by local company SilverSoft Limited in partnership with Ohio-based Rippe Kingston Systems.

"Benefits of the e-tax system include improved service to taxpayers, significantly reduced processing times, increased accuracy of tax returns, faster tax collection and reduced cost to Government," the DCI release said.