Contractor reaches tax settlement with GRA over armour-plated SUV

May 12, 2017 News

A contractor has reportedly reached a tax settlement with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) over a late model Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that came under the spotlight this week.
Yesterday, Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia did not immediately give details of the vehicle, a 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser, and the investigations. However, he did say that the matter has engaged the attention of GRA, and the contractor was summoned for a meeting. The contractor agreed to pay outstanding taxes on the vehicle, Statia said.
The official said that investigations are, however, ongoing into a number of issues with the case.
While the GRA chief did not name the contractor, Kaieteur News understands that it was B.K. International, a prominent entity.
On Tuesday, Customs officials reportedly stopped a vehicle that they had spotted. The SUV, a pearl white one, had PJJ number plates, which had been issued about a decade back.
The Customs officials stopped the vehicle and the driver said he is a relative of the contractor, Brian Tiwarie. The officials were, however, asked to allow the vehicle to go.
It was found that the SUV, an armour-plated one, was brought just over two years ago, and released in a Customs process known as Permission For Immediate Delivery (PID). This meant no taxes were paid and paperwork was not completed at GRA.
GRA, over the past year, has cracked down on several persons who own high-end luxury rides brought into the country under duty free scams as well as smuggled. Many of the owners have reached a settlement with GRA rather than face a drawn-out, publicized battle in court.
GRA had claimed much success in recovering taxes from this area.

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