Professional Integrity, Workplace Satisfaction and Tax Fairness

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Dorothy Wilkerson
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1 Survey of Professional Employees at the Canada Revenue Agency 2018 Professional Integrity, Workplace Satisfaction and Tax Fairness Part 1

2 Methodology The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada conducted a census-style survey of all members employed at the Canada Revenue Agency. Invitations to participate in the Professional Integrity, Workplace Satisfaction and Tax Fairness Survey were sent via to 11,599 members of the Audit, Financial and Scientific Group (AFS) at the Canada Revenue Agency between February 20 and March Of those who were invited, 2,170 respondents completed the online questionnaire (18.7%). 2

3 Methodology The survey was designed by PIPSC analysts and was delivered using the Survey Monkey platform. Results are presented without any weighting. There is no margin of error listed because the survey was conducted online and participants were self-selected. Participants were allowed to skip questions except for those related to key demographic information. 3

4 Demographics Demographic distribution of survey respondents compared to the total population based on information retrieved from PIPSC s membership database in July 2018 Age: Age Group Total PIPSC Population (CRA) Survey Respondents <30 7% 5% % 18% % 30% % 37% % 10% 4

5 Demographics Demographic distribution of survey respondents compared to the total population based on information retrieved from PIPSC s membership database in July 2018 Gender: Gender Total PIPSC Population (CRA) Survey Respondents Male 55% 56% Female 45% 44% 5

6 Demographics Demographic distribution of survey respondents compared to the total population based on information retrieved from PIPSC s membership database in July 2018 Region: Region Total PIPSC Population (CRA) Survey Respondents British Columbia 10% 9% Prairies 11% 14% National Capital Region (NCR) 35% 29% Ontario (excl. NCR) 27% 30% Quebec (excl. NCR) 12% 13% Atlantic 5% 6% 6

7 Demographics Demographic distribution of survey respondents compared to the total population based on information retrieved from PIPSC s membership database in July 2018 Classification:* Classification Total PIPSC Population (CRA) Survey Respondents (%) Survey Respondents Auditors 76% 79% n=1384 Management 12% 8% n=141 Commerce 4% 4% n=76 Economists, Sociologists and Statisticians 3% 4% n=59 Financial Management 3% 3% n=47 Social Science 1% 1% n=24 Other: (Actuaries, Education, Librarians, Psychologists) 1% 1% n=10 Total: 100% 100% n=1741 *429 Computer Systems (CS) employees also participated in the survey. Results from the CS classification were not selected for inclusion in this report. CS members had a disproportionately low completion rate and it is recognized that a higher proportion of these individuals have professional responsibilities that are less related to tax policy. Survey results that include CS members responses are located in Appendix A 7

8 RESULTS 8

9 1. It is easier for corporations and wealthy individuals to evade and / or avoid tax responsibilities than it is for average Canadians 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 90% 20.3% 69.7% Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree n =

10 2. Tax credits, tax exemptions and tax loopholes disproportionately benefit corporations and wealthy Canadians compared to average Canadians 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 81% 24.2% 56.5% Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree n =

11 3. Multinational corporations shift profits to low-tax regions even when there is little to no corresponding economic activity taking place in that jurisdiction 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 75% 23.1% 52.3% Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree n =

12 4. Training and technology advancements within the CRA have not kept pace with the complexity of tax avoidance schemes 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 79% 31.0% 47.6% Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree n =

13 5. The CRA currently has adequate audit coverage capacity to ensure tax laws are being applied fairly across the country 20% 15% 16% 10% 5% 0% 12.8% 3.1% Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree n =

14 6. The CRA can do more to increase revenues without raising taxes by better enforcing tax laws that are currently in place 100% 84% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 37.1% 46.6% Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree n =

15 7. The ability of the CRA to carry out its mandate has been compromised by political interference 50% 45% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 27.9% 17.0% Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree n =

16 8. The internal restructuring that occurred after expenditure reviews in 2012 resulted in average Canadians, charities and small business being targeted more relative to wealthy Canadians and corporations 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 37% 21.9% 15.1% Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree n =

17 Results Summary Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know / Not Applicable 1. It is easier for corporations and wealthy individuals to evade and / or avoid tax responsibilities than it is for average Canadians 2. Tax credits, tax exemptions and tax loopholes disproportionately benefit corporations and wealthy Canadians compared to average Canadians 3. Multinational corporations shift profits to low-tax regions even when there is little to no corresponding economic activity taking place in that jurisdiction 4. Training and technology advancements within the CRA have not kept pace with the complexity of tax avoidance schemes 5. The CRA currently has adequate audit coverage capacity to ensure tax laws are being applied fairly across the country 6. The CRA can do more to increase revenues without raising taxes by better enforcing tax laws that are currently in place 7. The ability of the CRA to carry out its mandate has been compromised by political interference 8. The internal restructuring that occurred after expenditure reviews in 2012 resulted in average Canadians, charities and small business being targeted more relative to wealthy Canadians and corporations 69.7% 20.3% 4.8% 1.5% 0.9% 2.9% n = % 24.2% 8.8% 2.2% 0.9% 7.4% n = % 23.1% 7.5% 0.8% 0.4% 15.9% n = % 31.0% 8.4% 4.1% 2.9% 6.1% n = % 12.8% 13.0% 33.8% 27.2% 10.1% n = % 37.1% 8.4% 2.2% 1.2% 4.6% n = % 27.9% 19.7% 8.3% 5.1% 22.0% n = % 21.9% 21.3% 11.5% 4.3% 26.0% n =

18 Appendix A Results Including Computer Systems Employees These results were not used in the final report. Computer Systems Employees were not selected for inclusion. CS members had a disproportionately low completion rate and it is recognized that a higher proportion of these individuals have professional responsibilities that are less related to tax policy. 1. It is easier for corporations and wealthy individuals to evade and / or avoid tax responsibilities than it is for average Canadians 2. Tax credits, tax exemptions and tax loopholes disproportionately benefit corporations and wealthy Canadians compared to average Canadians 3. Multinational corporations shift profits to low-tax regions even when there is little to no corresponding economic activity taking place in that jurisdiction 4. Training and technology advancements within CRA have not kept pace with the complexity of tax avoidance schemes 5. The CRA currently has adequate audit coverage capacity to ensure tax laws are being applied fairly across the country 6. The CRA can do more to increase revenues without raising taxes by better enforcing tax laws that are currently in place 7. The ability of the CRA to carry out its mandate has been compromised by political interference 8. The internal restructuring that occurred after expenditure reviews in 2012 resulted in average Canadians, charities and small business being targeted more relative to wealthy Canadians and corporations Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know / Not Applicable 64.9% 20.6% 4.9% 1.6% 0.9% 7.1% n = % 23.3% 8.4% 2.0% 0.9% 12.2% n = % 21.8% 7.6% 0.8% 0.3% 22.3% n = % 30.2% 9.0% 4.7% 2.8% 11.5% n = % 12.8% 13.1% 28.9% 23.2% 18.7% n = % 36.1% 8.9% 1.9% 1.1% 8.4% n = % 26.2% 19.5% 7.9% 4.7% 26.0% n = % 20.8% 20.0% 9.7% 3.7% 31.8% n =

Canadians understand the connection between a

Canadians understand the connection between a 1. THE THREATS JULY 2018 THE PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF CANADA SHELL GAME: How Offshore Havens, Loopholes, and Federal Cost-Cutting Undermine Tax Fairness, A Survey 1. The Threats