Georgetown : The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) reported a $116B revenue for last year.
Head of the GRA Khurshid Sattaur said that the GRA was able to keep track with revenue targets for 2012, and the most favourable results were seen in the significant amount of revenue being collected close to the end of the year, the period when there is the collection of taxes from the self-employed, one of the major categories of tax payers in Guyana.
Sattaur observed that the fact that Guyana is still experiencing some amount of brain drain from migration, has in no small manner affected the organisation and its capability.
He also pointed to one major challenge in 2012 which related to the Linden unrest and the serious issues that flowed from that. The GRA Head stated that for a period of time there were concerns by the business community that the Linden unrest would have overflowed into the city and would have affected business performance.
Nevertheless, he commended the hard work of the GRA staff which enabled the body to overcome many of the obstacles and made them very optimistic that it would pay off the right amount of dividends for the GRA and Guyana.
One major encouragement for the Revenue Authority’s performance in 201 2 was the sense of accomplishment when the new building located in Camp Street became available for occupancy and the process commenced to house the entire operations of the GRA under one roof.
While there was discussion in the National Assembly on whether funds should continue to be provided for its outfitting, the GRA boss said there was a significant amount of work that had to be done. The installation of clean power, computers and staff accommodation, he explained would require a significant amount of outlay to accommodate approximately 750 staff members at the end of the exercise.
The building will house the Legal Department, Remission Unit, Planning and Analysis Unit, Human Resource Department, Finance Department, Facilities Management, Customs Operations, Income Tax Department, VAT Department and Licence and Revenue Department.
Bringing all the departments into a single building at one location would lead to more efficient services, as well as ease of access for the taxpayers.
Sattaur expressed the hope that these points would be cause for reflection by the decision makers towards the national good, in ensuring that the GRA is given the necessary support to occupy the building. He pointed out also that there would be a significant reduction in the cost of tax collection, and urged Parliament to let good wisdom and judgment prevail by putting aside narrow interests and looking at the national good.
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