Govt agencies hold major ‘hacking’ event for online tax solutions
The Revenue Department, Finance Ministry, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), the Digital Economy Ministry and the society have joined hands to set up a campaign to promote the use of technology and digital innovation in tax services.
The new system, designed under the concept “Real experts, real solutions and real impact”, has been named “#HACKATAX Thailand’s First Senior-level Hackathon”.
This is the first time in Thailand that management staff from top local start-ups and fintech firms have come together to brainstorm for best solutions using digital technology to improve tax services under the theme “Thai Tax is for Everyone”.
Ekniti Nitithanprapas, director-general of the Revenue Department, said his department’s policy was to help Thai entrepreneurs grow sustainably and conduct their businesses easily by using digital technology under a fair taxation system. The Revenue Department believes that by bringing together “real experts” from the government and private sector to design “real solutions” will have a “real impact” on the country.
Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, CEO/president of DEPA said the objective of #HACKATAX is to brainstorm ideas and collaborate to find solutions for tax services. Also, participants will not be new startups, but experienced ones who will be able to tackle problems and create new ideas that are ready to use, reduce work process, improve services and ultimately boost the efficiency of the tax system together with the development of a tax-management system.
The Revenue Department and DEPA are also considering opening a “Revenue Department Sandbox” to test the new technology. #HACKATAX participants will be granted special privileges to participate in the Sandbox project, which will be aligned with the “real experts, real solutions, real impact” theme, Ekniti said.
The #HACKATAX event will be held from September 11 to 13 at the DEPA Building in Lat Phrao.