`We’re committed to ensuring VAT is effective’
-- GRA Commissioner-General
Guyana Chronicle
January 1, 2007
COMMISSIONER-GENERAL of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Khurshid Sattaur says the authority is committed to working to ensure that the Value Added Tax (VAT), which goes into effect today, is effective and contributes to greater efficiencies.
His assurance came in his New Year’s message, the text of which follows:
“Fellow Guyanese, with every year comes challenges -- challenges of a different nature; the year 2006 was no different for the Guyana Revenue Authority.
Over the years, we have been striving to improve our systems and while we have made significant improvements in our revenue collection efforts we continue to strive for higher level of efficiencies.
Reflecting our record of continuous improvements over recent years, significant strides have been made at our internal revenue and customs divisions. The GRA secretariat has been instrumental in lending support to the overall effort.
Major reform programmes that the GRA has embarked on in areas of Organisation and Methods, procedures and systems will be the bedrock of the GRA’s efforts towards greater efficiency in coming years.
During 2006 one of our major challenges was preparing for one of Guyana’s major tax reform initiatives in two decades, the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT).
For years VAT has been advocated as a necessary component of Guyana’s effort to reform and modernise its tax system.
The Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) and the introduction of the Taxpayer’s Identification Number are among major steps in integrating revenue collection systems in the country.
When this becomes fully operational, Guyana’s taxation system will be more integrated than those used in countries of the Caribbean and even countries such as the United Kingdom. The GRA will now be able to wholly assess a taxpayer’s total tax obligation to the State.
We are not boasting of our efficiencies in any way; we are aware that we have not had the best track record.
However, we are committed to working to ensure that VAT is effective and that it contributes to greater efficiencies.
We have been working very closely with the major stakeholders, the private and public sector bodies as well as consumer advocates.
I want to commit to continue to work with them during the New Year and throughout the implementation of VAT.
I take this opportunity to applaud those who have voluntarily complied with the VAT law to become registered and prepare for the smooth transition to VAT.
I cannot but emphasise that the GRA on its own cannot administer VAT effectively. We need the full support of the business community, more so VAT registrants who will be the second most critical administrators of VAT.
We look forward to building a closer relationship with our stakeholders during the coming year, one based on mutual cooperation and trust.
We challenge the consumer bodies to be vigilant and help in effectively policing the system so that consumers are not exploited.
During the year, the staff at the GRA has been dedicated to ensuring that the necessary equipment and procedures are in place for this major transformation.
I take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to them for their relentless support and hard work.
I am pleased to say that the GRA is prepared for the implementation of VAT, come January 1, 2007.
The GRA recognises all diligent and honest taxpayers paying Corporate, Personal, property and other categories of taxes and salute them for upholding their obligation to their country.
We look forward to your fullest support as we together embark on this national undertaking.
A happy and prosperous New Year to you all.”