Scientists urge governments to push tax reform

CSIRO scientists have urged the Treasury Secretary, Ken Henry, to use the insights of ''nudge theory'' - the idea that governments should (gently) push citizens into making better personal decisions - when redesigning the nation's tax and welfare system.

In a report commissioned by Dr Henry's tax review panel, the CSIRO's mathematical and information sciences division calls for every taxpayer to be sent a default tax return each year.

The return would have been completed by the Tax Office with taxpayer income and family details drawn from Centrelink records and would show the refund or debt based on the details. Those happy to accept this default option would need to do no more. Those with more complex affairs could still complete their own return or have a tax agent lodge a return.