PPP/C to pursue taxation system that is more compliant, less burdensome

The Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) will in its new term pursue a taxation system that will lower the tax burden on citizens and improve tax compliance.

This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali during a consultation on the party’s manifesto. He said that the goal is to “put more money back in your pockets”.

However, he noted that “when we lower taxes…we have to ensure…everyone pays their taxes”.

According to President Ali, “once this happens, more and more incentives can be given to the population.”

One of the tax measures that will be pursued, President Ali confirmed, is the reduction of taxes on the importation of four-door pickups.

This move was previously revealed by PPP’s General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

Jagdeo had noted that “…as the road network expands too, I think we can allow a more liberal taxation system on the vehicles”, admitting that the “duties are still high” despite several interventions from the government over the years.

In a move to incentivise the transition to lower-emission vehicles in Guyana, the government in 2023 removed the Value Added Tax (VAT) on new electric vehicles.

During his presentation of Budget 2023, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh had explained that this measure applies to new (less than four years old) electric motor vehicles – not hybrid – of any power rating.

Further, to support the investment decision of businesses to switch to more environmentally friendly vehicles, the Finance Minister had also announced an increase in the writing down allowance applicable to all-electric motor vehicles to 50 per cent annually.

According to Dr Singh at the time, the ownership of a motor vehicle is no longer considered a luxury since it improves the ease of access to and from the places of home, work, and learning.

Consequently, he had announced additional measures to reduce the cost of motor vehicle ownership.

These included the reduction of the duty on the importation of new (less than four years old) motor vehicles below 1500 cc from 45 per cent to now 35 per cent. This reduced the cost of importing such a vehicle by approximately $200,000.

In addition, the then tax rate on used vehicles below 1500 cc (4 years and older) was replaced with a flat rate of taxes of $800,000. This reduced the cost of importing such a vehicle by $300,000 on average.