Latest update November 17th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- Guyana received US$5.4B in royalty, profits from 500M barrels pumped to date
- Final audit report of Exxon’s US$7.3B expenses sent to company, to be made public next week – Minister Bharrat
- Israeli air raid on Gaza City school turned shelter kills 10 people
- Baby dies, toddler severely burnt in Sophia fire
- Venezuelan- orchestrated cyber operations targeting Guyana – National Defence Institute
600 refund cheques returned to GRA
More than 600 refund cheques have been returned to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for want of receipt.
According to Commissioner-General, Khurshid Sattaur, the cheques are being returned because persons are unwarrantedly fearful of receiving mail from GRA.
Commissioner-General of the GRA Mr. Khurshid Sattaur
“Over the years persons have made claims that the GRA does not pay refunds. This is not true, as the GRA has always paid refunds. However a decision was taken to place more emphasis on PAYE Refunds, and since the process was intensified in 2012 millions in refunds still remain unclaimed,” Mr. Sattaur said.
He said that persons have grown so accustomed to rejecting mails sent by the GRA that they are now rejecting the very refunds they have been seeking.
“This is rather unfortunate, as not all mail sent by the GRA is one requesting the payment of tax. Rejecting a mail does not negate one’s obligation to pay their taxes,” the Commissioner- General said.
Also of concern to the GRA and a factor that has contributed to the large volume of cheques being returned is the failure by taxpayers to update their information on GRA system by providing the agency with same when they would have changed their names and contact information such as address and telephone numbers. Some persons also cannot be reached via the contact information they provided and claims remains the same.
Of the more than 600 cheques returned, the GRA has only been able to make contact with less than 250 persons who have been advised to come in and uplift their cheques.
Notwithstanding, Mr. Sattaur stated that the GRA would not take responsibility for cheques returned. Taxpayers are urged to provide accurate and up-to-date contact information in order to receive documents and information in a timely manner.
Apart from the refund cheques, numerous TIN Certificates and motor vehicle licences have also been returned to the GRA. “This is of concern to us and taxpayers will be held responsible for their lack of compliance.”
Persons are encouraged to visit the GRA’s Headquarters or any of its Integrated Tax Offices countrywide, with the exception of Lethem and Rosignol, to update their information.
To assist in the provision of a more effective and efficient service, the GRA is also requesting that taxpayers consent in writing or the signing of available forms to have direct messages sent to them via a third party or service provider.
It should be noted that a person who fails to inform the GRA of any change in their business information commits an offence and is liable on conviction of up to fifty thousand dollars and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
For more information on how you can provide updates of your personal taxpayer information, taxpayers can call the GRA’s Tax Hotline on telephone number 227-6060 Extensions 1201 to 1204.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The PPP is in the grip of the bourgeoisie
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur news- The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) stands at a crossroads. Once the vanguard... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
