Tax featured heavily in the 2017 election campaign, meaning it was likely to be a focus for the new Government.
Revenue Minister Stuart Nash would want to make his mark on the tax landscape but also ensure the revenue going into Inland Revenue was sufficient to pay for new spending promises, Mr Truman said.
There would be priorities for the new Government but the 100-day plan specifically included establishing the Tax Working Group.
``There is nothing like a good review of the tax system to get tax advisers excited to get out of bed each day, and 2018 seems likely to keep the tax community inundated with plenty of reading material.''
While the finer details might have to wait another 100 days to be revealed, there were some indications of what would be considered, he said.
The terms of reference would be to consider possible options for further improvement in the structure, fairness and balance of the tax system.
The working group would have a primary focus on measures to address the imbalance in taxation on gains from speculation in property and income from other sources.
Only forward looking options would be considered, Mr Truman said.
Increases in personal income or corporate tax or GST rates would not be considered, nor would be any inheritance taxes or other changes which could be applied to the family home.
It was expected the new working group would be established before Christmas and convene early next year. The group would work through next year with an aim of reporting to the Government in early 2019.
Further consultation would occur on recommendations being pursued and Parliamentary processes undertaken to have legislation in place before the next scheduled election in 2020.
``It's an ambitious project to get completed within three years. Let's do this.''
Other 100-day plan actions such as the introduction of a new families package, changes to student loans and changing minimum wages would also require tax intervention, as those changes all touched the social policy systems administered by Inland Revenue, Mr Truman said.
Mr Nash was in for a busy time.
There would be other activities requiring proper attention. Inland Revenue was part-way through a major transformation which would require detailed oversight as well as legislation reform.
The last National-led government proposed comprehensive changes to address Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (beps) concerns. New rules were intended to apply from July 1, 2018, Mr Truman said.
The expected revenue from those measures had already been banked in forecasts and no slowdown was expected for those reforms.
In order to have legislation enacted in time for a July 1, 2018 date, legislation should have been introduced into Parliament by mid-2017.
``It will be imperative for the new Government to make its decisions and get legislation into Parliament as soon as possible.''
The previous government was in the process of implementing several tax changes, including changing employee share scheme rules and implementing measures needed for Inland Revenue's business transformation process.
The contents of the Bill would need to be evaluated and a decision made as to whether to progress it in the current form, Mr Truman said.
