Dear Editor,
Please permit me to respond to a letter captioned ‘What’s with the sale of vehicle licences?’ published in the February 9 edition of Kaieteur News and written by Mr Gregory Spelling.
First, let me address Mr Spelling’s statement that “…GRA should have made early preparations for the sale of the various licences that depended on the passing of the budget.”
While it is true that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) usually commences the sale of motor vehicle licences immediately after the passing of the National Budget, the GRA would like to point out that preparations for the sale of the new licences are already in train and the current period is being used to prepare vehicle owners for the changes that are being implemented in the new licences. In this regard, we have already begun issuing reminders/advisories to vehicle owners via the print media to ensure all requisite documents are submitted in keeping with the requirements of the Licence Revenue Office.
One such advisory recently published in the print media advised motor vehicle owners to ensure that their correct addresses are on their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificates.
The Licence Revenue Office is currently working to introduce an increased security feature in the motor vehicle licences.
Here, it should be noted that from this year the TIN will be displayed on motor vehicle licences. This therefore means that if the individual vehicle owner does not have a TIN, a licence will not be issued.
The date for the commencement of the sale of motor vehicle licences will be announced shortly. It should also be highlighted that the price for motor vehicle licences remains the same as last year, considering that there was no increase in the taxes being mentioned in the National Budget.
Mr Spelling, in expressing his concerns, raises the question of value for money if the licences go on sale later in the year.
We would like to further advise and remind vehicle owners that the licence covers the entire year regardless of the time of the year the motor vehicle licence is acquired. The vehicle licence is valid until the end of the year of issue and there are no restrictions on the use of vehicles pending the commencement of the sale of the new licences.
Further, a three-month grace period is allowed for the sale of licences so that in the period prior to the sale and during the grace period, no checks would be made by the Police Force for renewed licences.
Persons who fail to purchase their licences or renew same before the end of the grace period will be required to pay the full price for the licence as well as the penalties attached.
Efforts are also being made to ensure that all our branch offices in Lethem, Corriverton, New Amsterdam, Linden, Anna Regina, Parika and Bartica, have responsibility for the sale of these licences, which will be prepared through the operation of the advanced system.
The offices in Georgetown, ie, the Tax Operation and Services Department at Albert and Charlotte Streets, GPO Building on Robb Street and Customs and Trade Administration on Main and Hope Streets will also be facilitating the sale of licences.
The GRA is urging all persons to be patient with the organisation since these new measures will not only benefit the authority but its taxpayers as well.
Yours faithfully,
Wendella Willabus
Head Public Relations Unit
Guyana Revenue Authority
