Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 02, 2017 Letters
Dear Editor,
This is an appeal to His Excellency, The President. I kindly ask you to give it coverage. I beg that you defer this proposed requirement for Tax Compliance (for the renewal of Business Licences, Firearm and Drivers Licences etc) this way both GRA and the Guyanese Taxpayers will be prepared for this major adjustment.
Presently GRA takes “a year and a day” to issue Tax Compliances / Liability Statements. People are so frustrated that they at times resort to verbal assault and threats of physical assault. They may not want to admit it but the staff at GRA are presently hard pressed to deal with the number of persons requiring Compliances daily.
If this new law is implemented, the number of taxpayers requiring Compliances will literally multiply twenty times (if presently 500 people apply for compliances daily, it will increase to 10,000). I say without fear of contradiction that GRA cannot, at this time, deal with such a great increase in taxpayers – there will be more confusion, arguments, fights. I even fear a stampede.
The fact that the GRA’s building is dangerous to the well being of staff and visitors makes the situation even worse.
I would like to respectfully argue, Sir that preventing a small man from renewing his driver’s licence will not result in increased taxes -since most small business people in this country do not make $660,000 profit annually.
Presently to get a Tax Compliance from GRA you have to visit the office four, five, six times. What will happen to employees who will have to take lots of time-off or days-off? Excellency, it is a fact that everyone must come under the tax net, but this cannot be achieved with such short notice. What if your Government puts the country on notice – give everyone an opportunity to put their house in order, and implement this requirement in a year’s time.
In the meantime GRA’s taxes can increase dramatically (in the short term) if they go after those big fish who have enormous visible wealth but pay small taxes. In less than a year you have shown that you are a caring President. Sir, please consider the plight thousands of poor Guyanese will face if these new laws come into place immediately.
Trevor Charles
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews delivered a stellar all-round performance to lead her team to a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first One Day...Kaieteur News – For years, the disciples of Bharrat Jagdeo have woven a narrative of economic success during his tenure... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]