Linden business community encouraged to be tax-compliant

…GRA hosts tax sensitisation campaign

Members of the Linden business community were encouraged to be tax compliant, as the Communication and Tax Advisory Services of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) took the final leg of its Regional Tax Sensitisation Campaign into the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) community on Tuesday.

The objective of the exercise, which was hosted at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), was to promote taxpayer education and compliance. It was facilitated by a team of experts including Assistant Commissioner of Value Added Tax (VAT) Audit and Enforcement Lavina Waldrond, Tax Specialist Christopher Roberts, Representative of the Linden Integrated Regional Tax Office Ronesha Ajeday and Communication Officer Fabian Clowes.
Speaking with this publication, Clowes stressed the importance of the exercise.
“Each year we go across the country to talk to residents – individuals and corporate taxpayers, about what is new with the GRA, what we expect of them and what changes have taken place with the law that they should know about…it’s part of GRA’s mission to promote compliance through education. The mission is to promote compliance through service, enforcement and education,” he explained.
Those in attendance were educated on topics such as VAT registration and de-registration, VAT refunds, what is meant by “zero-rated”, “exempt supplies”, “partial exemptions” which according to Clowes are all things that VAT registrants should know about if they are to engage the GRA. Attendees were also educated on VAT return submissions and penalties.
In referencing the topic of tax invoice versus sales invoice, which was also discussed, Clowes pointed out that there are some businesses which refuse to give persons VAT receipts, noting that if they issue a receipt then the person will have to pay VAT. This is an issue which he noted clarity was needed on. Facilitators in their address also warned against this practice as they stressed the importance of businesses registered for VAT to issue receipts.
Clowes further stressed that businesses are expected to be tax compliant if they wish to obtain certain licenses from the GRA.
In addressing business professionals who were present, Assistant Commissioner of VAT Audit and Enforcement Lavina Waldrond pointed to several issues as she urged that they be more compliant. In this regard, she stressed the timely payment of taxes, citing penalties.
Waldrond also highlighted that tax returns have been sent back to the GRA due to persons failing to sign to receive same. To this end, she said the GRA is working to improve its services by putting more suitable measures in place
Members of the business community were also given an opportunity to share concerns and make recommendations.