The GREAT Government has released its draft Formal Tax Policy Work Programme 2026–2028 and is inviting the public to have their say on the future direction of the tax system.

The programme sets out the new Government’s proposed tax policy priorities for the next two years and is an important step towards a more open and transparent approach to tax policy development.

For the first time, taxpayers, businesses, community organisations and other interested groups can see the Government’s proposed tax policy work programme and provide feedback before it is finalised.

The programme identifies the main tax policy and legislative projects that the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (Economic Division) and the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) expect to work on during 2026–2028. It also provides a clear process for deciding which proposals should be progressed, considering their impact on Government revenue, taxpayers, businesses and the wider economy.

The programme is overseen by the ED/IRD Work Prioritisation and Review Committee, which is responsible for prioritising and sequencing tax policy work in line with the Government’s priorities and available resources.

Public consultation is a key part of the process. The new Government is committed to greater transparency and public participation in tax policy development. As proposals are developed, businesses, community organisations and members of the public will be invited to share their views and help shape future tax reforms.

The Government encourages everyone with an interest in the tax system to review the draft programme and share their views.

The Details

The draft work programme covers the following work streams:

1. 1. Integrity of the tax system: This work stream protects against tax avoidance and evasion to maintain a stable and predictable tax system.
   2. Modernizing and strengthening the tax system: This work stream ensures the tax system is regularly maintained and updated in response to changing technology, business practices, jurisprudence, or other factors. It also focuses on reforming the indirect tax regime by ensuring a single tax rate and a broad-based indirect tax. It aims to level the playing field for business and simplify tax rules.
   3. Strengthen Domestic and international information sharing capacity: This work stream fulfils Solomon Islands’ domestic and international obligations to raise capacity to respond to shifts in the domestic and global economy.
   4. Social policy: This work stream involves addressing social policy issues that may impact the well-being of Solomon islanders.
   5. Other agency work: this work stream involves other agency work that aligns with Government priorities that may have tax consequences or Inland Revenue delivery implications, such as tax implications.
      
      

The work programme is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains aligned with the Government’s priorities. Any changes will be reflected in the publicly available version of the programme, giving stakeholders clear visibility of the Government’s tax policy agenda.

Planned consultation includes:

• • Phase 1 – Pre meetings with stakeholders that may be directly impacted, such as SINPF and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Phase 2 – Public awareness and education activities including SIBC sessions, IRD website, session at the Solomon Islands National University.
  • Phase 3 – A series of 1:1 consultation meeting with key stakeholder groups such as Solomon Islands Small Business Enterprise Centre, the Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants, Women in Law, The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
  • Phase 4 – Public consultation meeting for Government, non-government and business stakeholders.
    
    

For more details of the Draft Formal Tax Policy Work Programme or how to have your say, contact the Committee via phone: 23122 – Primula Kingmele (ED) or 21552 – Hitchen Dauara (IRD). You can also find the draft work programme at www.ird.gov.sb.

Submissions close on 25th September 2026.