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Corruption Perception Index not comprehensive

Oct 04, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Transparency International Corruption Perception Index has been criticized and rejected for its poor methodology. But it should be noted that this is not its only shortcoming.

A close examination of the composition of the index would reveal that it is not a comprehensive index. It excludes completely any consideration of tax evasion although this is a significant element in measuring corruption.

The Government of Guyana has invested significantly in strengthening the taxation system and widening the tax base.

With funding under the IDB financed Fiscal and Financial Management Programme (FFMP) and Support for Competitiveness Programme (SCP) and support from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), the operations of Guyana Revenue Authority has been significantly enhanced.

The introduction of a Tax Identification Number (TIN) has made it compulsory for everyone wanting to do business with the Government to have a TIN.

With a TIN the GRA can access persons’ records on Income Tax, Customs Transactions, vehicles registration, VAT, etc.

Here for example, if someone is a self employed importer, the GRA would know from their TIN the value of their imports, the number of vehicles they own, the amounts of VAT that are collected and remitted and the amounts of Income Tax paid.

False declaration of income with the intention of paying less income tax, for example, would be easier to detect since the customs and VAT transactions of taxpayers should correlate.

In addition to TIN, the new computerized Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) and the significant investments in human and physical resources at the GRA make tax and customs inspection more efficient and thus are widening the tax base.

To those who accuse the system of being infested with corruption, I am not denying that corruption probably exist, but, it is my humble opinion that if exporters and importers, businessmen and women and companies do not engage the corrupt officials they would be forced to perform their duties without bribes and drawbacks. I challenge Guyanese to put this to the test!
Sheola Ross

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