GRA moves to introduce online tax payments

Mar 07, 2014 News

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) says it is moving closer to launching its online tax payment service. The tax collection agency disclosed yesterday that corporate and financial commercial institutions are on board with the new system that is likely to be launched this month.
Already, a number of agreements have been signed and the system is being tested to ensure its security.
“The initiative seeks to bring to the public a more convenient and faster payment option as the GRA moves to optimize the use of technology in its provision services, allowing tax payments to be done via the internet or telephone from the comfort of one’s home, office or other suitable location,” GRA said yesterday.
The system, which is similar to what is already in place by several utility companies for electronic bill payments, will seek to promote several objectives.
“Chief among them is to provide more convenience and security for clients who often flock the GRA’s 200-201 Camp Street Headquarters to conduct business, particularly as due dates approach. It will also relieve congestion in the building as well as on the streets as it relates to parking.”
Commissioner-General of the GRA, Khurshid Sattaur, is convinced that the new system will be welcomed by all stakeholders since it will lessen the time customers and clients have to spend and promote security for taxpayers engaged in money transactions.
“Accommodation and parking for clients has been an issue the GRA has had to address since the bulk of its operations were consolidated at Camp Street. I think this is a great breakthrough. Therefore, to be able to offer this service through the internet… we should be seeing a reduction in the number of persons visiting our office.”
Early last year, Sattaur met representatives of local commercial banks for talks on the online tax payment system. He was accompanied by representatives of the GRA’s Information Technology (IT) Department.
GRA disclosed that during that engagement, the banks agreed to work along with the GRA’s IT Department to have a tax payment feature added to their websites.
“Additionally, taxpayers who, for one reason or the other, may not be able to use the computer or telephone to transact business will be able to use the over-the-counter service of the nearest Bill Express location. The GRA will soon provide details of the obligations and requirements for persons using the system, and the value limits for payments and relevant tax types for which payment can be made.”
Since moving to the Camp Street location last year, placing several of its scattered departments under one roof, there have been repeated complaints of congestion in the area. Even the conversion of a number of properties into parking lots has not seen alleviation of the problem.

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GRA moves to introduce online tax payments

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