Services sector largest revenue earner – GRA Chairman

Rawle-LucasGeorgetown: Chairman of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Board of Directors, Rawle Lucas, has disclosed that from the four main economic sectors, the Services industry brings in the most tax revenues. The tax revenues were classified into four sectors: agriculture, fisheries and forestry in one group; mining and quarrying in another, the manufacturing sector and the services sector.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Lucas said that GRA examined the economic sectors to see which industry is making positive contributions to country’s revenue through the payment of taxes.

He further noted that the preliminary conclusions found that the Services industry is the largest earner and accounts for 66 per cent of tax revenues, while manufacturing is the smallest, covering 30 per cent of the tax revenues.

“It stands to reason, that we have tax problems in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors as well as in the mining and quarrying sectors,” the Chairman stated.

According to Lucas, in order for GRA to better determine and provide information about compliance and non compliance, the tax body would have to refine the current methodology used.

Moreover, he outlined that the GRA’s Board has taken steps to make the organisation more efficient as well as to strengthen the protection of taxpayers’ information.

“These measures relate to the access and use of taxpayers’ data by GRA staff members who are on leave. The board would continue to be ceased of this matter and will continue to adjust policies to ensure the integrity of taxpayers data is maintained at all times,” the Chairman said.

In addition, the Head of the GRA Board recognised the plight of many persons who have complained about the inability of receiving their refunds, on time. He further revealed that the Board has authorised the authority to re-examine its current policy on this matter to increase efficiency.

“I am aware this effort is almost complete with respect to VAT (Valued Added Tax) refunds and the authority will be employing soon, revised measures to speed up those refunds,” the Chairman said.

On the issue of income tax refunds, Lucas explained this is a bit more complex but noted it is “resolvable”. He pointed out that the difficulties in this case are not entirely with GRA since they involved the cooperation of external parties. The Chairman added that the GRA Board is committed to have whatever constraints that exist removed.

Meanwhile, Lucas urged the staff members at GRA not to be “bogged down” by the events occurring at the helm of the authority, noting that those matters will be pursued through the appropriate channels.

The Chairman was referring to the recent sacking of Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur following some glaring discovery of alleged corrupt practices.

“There are some who might be consorted by the turn of events at the helm of this organisation but I wish to assure staff of GRA that the actions being taken by the Board are intended to make the organisation better,” Lucas said.

It is in this regard that the Board has adopted measure to safe-guard sensitive taxpayers’ information as an interest to the organisation, government and tax payers in general.