GRA to make essential tax services accessible in Berbice

During a meeting organised to address concerns of businessmen and women in Berbice through the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCCI), several concerns were raised in relation to the lack of critical services in the region.

Concerns relating particularly to processing time for customs declarations and other documents, Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds, motor vehicle registration and other factors which have been making the job of doing business with the Authority arduous for persons travelling from Berbice were related.

Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Godfrey Statia assured the gathering that essential tax services that are only available in Georgetown will soon be brought closer to home.

“I understand your rationale when you say you need clearing, manifests, compliances, and vehicle transfers etc to be done here instead of Georgetown. We intend to put these things in place,” the Commissioner-General assured.

The assurance came after Mr. Statia made a comprehensive assessment of operations at the Integrated Regional Tax Offices at New Amsterdam and Corriverton and the Guyana/Suriname Ferry Service at Moleson Creek.

“Tax offices in the outstations must do, as far as possible, the job that the Head Office in Georgetown does,” he affirmed.

Mr. Statia was accompanied by a delegation that included Deputy Commissioner of the Integrated Regional Tax Offices Karen Chapman, Deputy Commissioner of Customs Excise and Trade Operations Lancelot Wills, Deputy Commissioner of Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) Fitzroy Corlette.

The Authority’s officials also addressed concerns relating to the recent allegation by members of the Upper Corentyne business community of excessive force by officers of the GRA.

Chamber members were assured that the approach of LEID is not to intimidate but to provide the necessary investigative and, enforcement programmes which are aimed at promoting compliance.