[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Tuesday, March 11 launched its on-line tax payment system and its Automated Drivers Licence Card.
Both initiatives represent another step in Authority’s efforts towards modernization, with the use of the latest in Information Technology (IT) as the pillar.
The new tax payment system offers taxpayers the opportunity of making faster tax payments from the comfort and convenience of their home or office for various tax types including personal Income Tax, Property Tax, Corporation Tax and Value-Added Tax.
Persons can also purchase their motor vehicle licence. Currently persons who have accounts with Demerara Bank Limited can make payments. Account holders at Republic Bank and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry will be able to make payments shortly. Additionally, taxpayers can commence the use of the over-the-counter service of the nearest Bill Express location.
Simultaneously, the GRA launched its new state-of- the-art plastic drivers licence card. The new automated drivers licence card will replace the booklet-form licences. “Instead of the paper licence, our 150,000 drivers will now be holders of this more durable plastic card,” Commissioner-General of the GRA, Khurshid Sattaur said.
He added that significant benefits of the new systems to the GRA and the Public are that the card will be more secured against tampering and that since it is electronic, it will allow for information sharing with other external agencies such as the police. Sattaur noted that the card can also be used as a means of identification given its photo feature.
After completing the electronic registration process the applicant will be required to return in three to five working days. This period is necessary to facilitate the verification of highly sensitive data provided and members of the public are asked to return in an effort to prevent congestion at Headquarters and the unnecessary waste of their time. Applicants are also reminded to ensure their licenses are renewed before the date of expiration.
The Commissioner-General stressed the point that most of the services that the GRA will be offering this year are as a result of the great strides it has made in information technology.
While this has rendered the GRA as a more efficient organization in providing services to the public it is equally to be expected that the fight to combat the scourge of tax evasion will take on a more serious level with those who have been evading honouring their obligation being now seriously challenged to comply.
Great progress indeed…It’s about time the general public will have access on line to much more of these critical services, and hopefully be rid of the much wasted ‘chitter chatter’ of the government clerks who feels that the public owes them something!