In excess of $114M has been recouped by the Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) between January and April this year through planned activities to boost its fight against smuggling.
These exercises continue to unearth a significant quantity of commonly smuggled items which include foreign imported chicken, mosquito coils that are banned and motor vehicles, says the GRA.
According to the revenue authority, for a number of these offences the offenders have been identified for the first time.
However, in some cases it has been noted that the perpetrators are repeat offenders, in which case the penalties are levied as payment triple the value of the duties.
“And even as LEID continues its operations, the Regional Operations has begun a countrywide compliance campaign with the aim of ensuring all businesses or persons who are required to pay taxes are complying with all necessary requirements in terms of licences etc. As a result of the compliance campaign, it has been discovered that a large number of businesses are non-compliant. Business owners were informed of their shortcomings and follow-up visits will be forthcoming,” a media release from the GRA today stated.
INews understands that the compliance campaign is ongoing and persons are being encouraged to visit the GRA and get their relevant documentation in order.
Meanwhile, in addition to the efforts of LEID and the Regional Operations, the Communication and Tax Advisory Services Division of the GRA will also be continuing its public awareness campaign.
