The Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) with the Department of Information Communication Technology today launched its Digital Transformation Strategy 2026–2028, outlining a major national effort to modernize PNG’s tax administration and improve taxpayer services. Acknowledging that this was the result of a culmination of a number of years work by our Data Management, Tax Intelligence team initiated under the former Commissioner General Koim.
Acting Commissioner General Sam Loi said the Strategy marked “a new era for revenue administration in Papua New Guinea—one that is digital, efficient, and designed around the taxpayer’s natural systems.”
He emphasised that digital transformation is not simply an ICT upgrade, but a fundamental shift in how the IRC operates, makes decisions, and delivers services.
The Digital Transformation Strategy outlines initiatives across key building blocks, including digital identity, taxpayer touchpoints, data management and standards, tax rule automation, new workforce capabilities, and strengthened governance. Together, these components form a cohesive approach that will guide the IRC’s transition to a more streamlined, data-driven organisation.
The three-year plan, built on the OECD Digital Transformation Maturity Model and aligned with the Medium Term Development Plan IV, focuses on three core outcomes:
Improving taxpayer experience
Digitising and automating core tax processes
Building a modern, digital-first IRC
Key targets by 2028 include:
- 90% of taxpayer interactions digitised and automated
- 80% of tax processes embedded into natural systems such as banking and accounting platforms
- 100% of staff trained in digital and analytical skills
- Real-time compliance monitoring and a 50% improvement in taxpayer satisfaction
Mr. Loi emphasised that taxpayers and businesses will soon benefit from easier registration, lodgements, integrated digital payments, expanded mobile services, and secure digital identities.
“Our goal is simple: compliance should be seamless, automatic, and embedded in natural systems or the systems people already use. This Strategy is our commitment to reducing compliance burdens while strengthening compliance and national revenue,” he said.
The Acting Commissioner General also affirmed that the transformation is as much about our staff, culture, mindset change as it is about technology, calling on all IRC staff and partners to “transform with purpose and deliver with discipline.”