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The Inland Revenue Department attached great importance to the protection of taxpayers¡¯information, which was essential to the integrity of Hong Kong¡¯s taxation system, the Acting Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mr Tam Kuen-chong, said.
He was speaking in response to press enquiries on a Taxation Officer of the Inland Revenue Department being charged by the ICAC today (July 18) for alleged misconduct in public office by recording particulars of taxpayers for future personal use.
¡°The department has in place a proven system of internal checks and controls to ensure proper use of taxpayers¡¯ information,¡± Mr Tam said.
Since 1999, a logging mechanism had been put in place to randomly select and log on-line enquiries for review check in order to ensure that officers make enquiries only in the course of discharging their duties.
¡°We also regularly review the system with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of the system,¡± he said.
Mr Tam reiterated that the department had adopted a zero tolerance policy for acts in violation of integrity and improper handling of taxpayers¡¯ information.
Perpetrators of minor offences would be subject to verbal or written warnings while those of major offences would be subject to disciplinary action.
¡°In the event of criminal offences, the case will be referred to the relevant law enforcement authorities, that is , the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Hong Kong Police Force,¡± he said.
Mr Tam stressed that officers of the department were authorised to access taxpayers¡¯ information only in the performance of their duties.
¡°Any unauthorised access to or use of taxpayers¡¯ information is also an offence under the Crimes Ordinance or the Common Law,¡± he said.
The department has issued clear guidelines on the security and handling of departmental records.
¡°As a general rule, officers are not permitted to take taxpayers¡¯ or other departmental files or records out of the office unless it is necessary for them to do so in the performance of their duties,¡± Mr Tam said.
Ends/Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:03
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