Mr. Kissoon’s complaints about the GRA are exaggerated

Oct 29, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) views the concerns expressed by Mr. Freddie Kissoon in his October 26 newspaper column about long queues and lengthy procedures to obtain a licence and customs clearance, as exaggerations. The Authority is fully aware that its system of scrutiny can sometimes frustrate some of its taxpayers. Notwithstanding, the GRA cannot afford to sacrifice scrutiny for speed even if it will bring delays. Very often this occurs when inaccurate and incomplete import declarations are presented and have to be queried.
The system is the same with drivers licence. Applicants are usually asked to return within one week to pay and uplift their licence once the application and the accompanying documents are accurate; chief among them, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), Competence, three passport size pictures and a valid identification card. Mr. Kissoon should also take into consideration that with the advent of the plastic drivers licence in particular, applications have proliferated, and as a result, processing time is being impacted.
Nevertheless, the GRA has pursued avenues to meet the evolving challenge. One such is the introduction of the licence transaction checker, an online system that allows applicants to conveniently check the status of their applications before making a trip to the Head Office. Since introducing this system the GRA has been urging taxpayers, particularly those applying and renewing their licence to utilise this modern system and avoid uncertainty.
In his column captioned “Maybe Guyana will forever defy the foundations of scientific life” Mr. Kissoon drew comparisons with systems in other countries, claiming that in Guyana certain documents take “months and months to get.” Certainly Mr. Kissoon can’t be that naive to think that other countries have not been experiencing very similar or even greater challenges. The GRA is quite certain that a proper study would vindicate this argument and reveal some startling facts about how such entities sweep their shortcomings under the carpet to maintain a good corporate image.
Experience has taught the GRA that in its mandate to deliver quality service, there is a responsibility to ensure that tax, trade border laws and regulations are followed. Mr Kissoon would also agree that deviations from the norms comes with a backlash and attracts unnecessary public attention.
Guyana Revenue Authority

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