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– plastic Driver’s Licences from 2013The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced plans to tackle tax evasion at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).According to Commissioner General, Khurshid Sattaur, the tax collection agency has already brought a suitcase scanner that will be installed to pickup items entering the country through the airport.Sattaur, in a release from GRA yesterday, disclosed that the scanner will be for small packages-mainly for suitcase traders and commercial goods brought in suitcases.Currently, Customs Officers at the airport depend on the declaration forms submitted by passengers and searches of the suitcases to find the electrical and other items that some passengers have been noted to hide. This has led to millions being evaded in taxes and duties annually from the country’s coffers.Traders have been using flights to import high-end products like cell phones and tools, the Commissioner-General explained, noting that lots of persons ultimately try to deceive Customs at the airport by concealing commercial items in their suitcases. The scanner is expected to enhance revenue collection by detecting these items, he said.GRA said that though different, the X-Ray Scanner which targets imports will complement the existing one at a city wharf which targets the export of containerized cargo, particularly those destined for the United States.For the new year also, GRA is hoping to move into full swing with automated Driver’s Licences.This process, GRA explained, will see changes to the current format which will see a plastic card issued instead of a book… the final in GRA’s menu of licences to be computerized.The licences which have already been automated include the Motor Vehicle Licence and several others which fall under the category of ‘Trade and Miscellaneous’.Earlier this year,Wholesale Jerseys, the GRA had put systems in place to ensure that its licencing service could be accessed at its branch offices countrywide by taxpayers, eliminating the need for persons to travel to the city to acquire or renew licences.GRA is currently in the process of consolidating its activities in its new headquarters at the former CLICO building on Camp Street and has moved several of its operations there. |
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