MITA, and its predecessor, has supported the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue since 1994. Over the years, a suite of bespoke software applications were built to support functions such as Income Tax, VAT, ECO and Duty on Documents and to digitalise registration, tax return processes, payment processes, international taxation, intelligence and compliance, taxpayer services and debt collection.

Changes in taxation systems are typically a result of budget measures and simplification initiatives set by the Government (e.g. servizz.gov, Business First). Also, changes may be due to initiatives by the Ministry for Finance (MFIN) and the Office of the Commission for Revenue (CFR) to improve taxpayer services, reduce the cost of compliance and improve internal controls.

MITA works to ensure systems comply with international obligations such as EU directives and OECD guidelines. It is involved from consultancy and formulation of policy through to implementation and evaluation. Discussions with MFIN and CFR senior management take place regularly to ensure that the parties involved are constantly aligned to initial objectives. MITA is also commissioned to carry out research relevant to the EU and OECD and to participate in national and international committees.

Senior CFR and MFIN officials are regularly supported on:

• the creation of data models – what-if analysis, simulations
• the creation of models to evaluate the impact of policy implementation against pre-defined Key Performance Indicators and benchmarks
• simulations for recommendations for process improvement

One major information system, the Department for Social Security’s (DSS): “Sistema għall-Amministrazzjoni ta’ Benefiċċji Soċjali” (SABS), has been operational for 25 years. With a long history of consistent and steady functional growth, this fully integrated system ensures the timely operational and business process functionality of the Department.

MITA is responsible for the continuous development of SABS to implement government measures providing social assistance to citizens. The system’s main modules are used for the automated benefit application, assessment and payment of 51 different benefits grouped under contributory pensions, non-contributory benefits, short term benefits, children’s allowances and other benefits.