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By Leonard GildarieFor years now, I have been heralded by stories and promises of the potential of this country.Our 83,000 square miles- large chunks of it still unexplored- boasts of gold, diamonds,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, bauxite, timber, rare earth, manganese, fish, sugarcane and rice, and lands fertile enough to grow almost any food we can think of.Leonard GildarieExcept for a few success stories in the manufacturing sector,Kyle Korver Hawks Jersey, we have remained a country largely dependent on the export of raw materials.Government depends heavily on the taxes it collects from its citizens and businesses to run the country.Today, it would be a fool who would dare whisper that things have not happened in this country. Yes, we have a bridge across the Takutu River, linking Guyana and Brazil and another one linking the Berbice River.We have Giftland Mall and our financial situation is not so dire that all is lost. Our debts, though high, is manageable.We look to countries in the EU where the economies remain largely in shambles.We look to our families in North America and see the battles and long hours many of them face daily to eke out a living.This week, I became very angry.I was asked by the wife to buy some stuff from a city store. It is a popular Chinese store. I love their stuff. You can afford something there. The line was long and I was looking around at some of the other items on display.My eyes were drawn to the large wad of cash being held by the cashier. She was making change and bagging off the purchases.Nobody was getting receipts.I went up and she bagged off the items and took the cash. She made the change and handed over the dollar notes.Of course, I asked for my receipt. She looked startled. Her colleague was also perplexed that I dared asked for a receipt.I insisted that receipts had to be issued. I asked the person next to me if she was aware that she was entitled to a receipt. She had a blank stare.I told the lady of that Chinese store that I would be back.I went over the next store and made a purchase. I had to ask for a receipt. There were no revenue stamps affixed.It was around midday and sun had decided to move even closer to earth. My anger was boiling.I picked up the phone and called the head of GRA, Mr Khurshid Sattaur.I read earlier last week that the Minister of Finance had urged him to get cracking on tax evasion and smuggling.I told him about what I experienced at that Chinese store and reminded him that I am paying through my nose in income tax. As a matter of fact, a third of my salary goes to GRA.Mr Sattaur thanked me for passing the information to him and said GRA needs more help like this.That day I learnt that the practice of not issuing a receipt is rampant.Some city stores even issue receipts and then dump the duplicates at the end of the day.I started thinking.Where is Government getting monies from to run this country? From us,Deion Sanders Falcons Jersey, right?What about the mini-bus conductors? How many neighborhood shops do we know that do not issue any receipts? How many speedboats collect monies with a receipt being issued?What about a visit to the barber shop or the auto place?What about the taxis? Do you see what I am saying?I contacted Dawn Holder-Alert, who earlier this year was named as Director of the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC).What I learnt is making me more angry.According to information provided by the official and available online, Section 24 (1) of the Consumer Affairs Act makes it clear that a supplier cannot post notices stating that goods are not returnable or that no refunds will be given for goods returned.The same act insists that when a supplier sells goods or services to a consumer, the supplier shall give to the consumer a receipt setting out the purchase price and value added tax separately as paid by the consumer.The receipt has to include the date on which the purchase was made and a description of the goods sold or services provided.The receipt shall be regarded as sufficient proof of the purchase of the goods or services and may be used for the purposes of obtaining a refund in any of the circumstances for refund specified in the Act.In the scenarios listed, it is a crime not to adhere to the law.The problem that I have is our lax attitude when it comes to collecting taxes.We learnt last week that the Auditor General,NFL Jerseys Cheap China, in examining the accounts of the previous Government found that almost $63B in tax waivers were granted last year.That amount represented 28 percent of our total national budget of 2014.I am not sure but my calculations tell me that maybe that money can build at least four Berbice Bridges. And that was only for last year.Can you guess how much it would benefit our school children, hospitals and pensioners?One can argue that the tax waivers are necessary for businesses investing in Guyana or for remigrants returning to Guyana. We must make it attractive for our families and others to return home.Of course, concessions are needed to bring investors to our country.The billion dollar question is what is Guyana getting in return?GRA needs to tell us.We cannot be taxing our poor people and giving away the monies through the back-door.GRA cannot tell me that it does not have inspectors to monitor businesses.GRA cannot tell me that for the sake of a few millions to pay enforcement officials every year, we give up billions.We have many more of that city store across the country. We are leaking billions.I am being told that my income tax is more that what some contractors who are in the multi-million dollar projects are paying to GRA.As a taxpayer, it is a crying shame and slap in the face that we are forced to feel the squeeze while a greedy few, helped by a GRA that is understaffed and seemingly shackled,NBA Authentic Jerseys, do nothing to stop the bleeding.I would ask the Mr. Sattaur, a man I believe has Guyana at heart, to sit with me and explain the intricate details as I am hard-pressed trying to wrap my head around any sort of scenario that will appease me at this time.We can bury our heads in the sand,Brad Richards Red Wings Jersey, kill the messenger or make Guyana the place that was promised.