Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 23, 2015 News
The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is reportedly moving to recover over $40M in taxes from former Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali.
The taxes, including duties, reportedly have to do with two luxury vehicles Ali imported within the last five years. He is now a Member of Parliament (MP) for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in the Opposition.
Under regulations, MPs, ministers, state and other officials are entitled to tax waivers on vehicles.
They can import used vehicles every three years. For new vehicles, officials are not allowed to bring one before a five-year period has passed, a senior GRA official explained yesterday.
GRA is contending that while serving as a Minister in the previous administration, Ali imported two of the luxury Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) within the last five years when he was only entitled to one.
GRA is set to send Ali a notice within days telling him to pay the taxes.
In a Facebook post within the last day, the former Minister disclosed that it was brought to his attention by a senior GRA official that instructions have been given to institute taxes on “motor vehicle I acquired through legal means as a Member of Parliament in the 10th Parliament.”
Ali insisted that the concession was recommended and approved by all the relevant authority.
“I was shocked when this officer approached me on Friday night after the Parliament to inform me that I will be receiving a letter from GRA on Monday asking me to pay taxes on this vehicle.”
Ali claimed that the issue is really about “witch hunting” and “vindictive action” aimed at members of the former Government, which “will not move me and my convictions”.
“All my actions have been consistently within the laws of Guyana and as such I am putting the country on notice that these targeted actions to silence me will not succeed.”
Ali insisted that he is prepared to deal with and have all the documents to justify the facts.
“I anxiously await the purported letter. I have nothing to hide or fear so would never succumb to any threats.”
The new coalition Government said it has been unearthing a number of irregularities involving former senior officials of the previous Government.
Currently, the former Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford is before the courts, facing charges for the illegal transfers of eight vehicles to family members and friends. Her former Assistant, Margaret Cummings was also charged.
The transactions reportedly occurred a few days before the May 11 General and Regional Elections which resulted in the PPP/C losing power for the first time in 23 years.
Both also have been questioned in a $500M-plus fraud at the same Ministry with the file on the investigations expected to be sent this week to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
Westford is also being investigated for possible tax evasion for a recreational vehicle (RV) that was imported but wrongly classified, resulting in just $2M being paid instead of the estimated $13M that would have been due to GRA.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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