The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday said it maintains a strong policy regarding the confidentiality of information.
In a statement, the GRA adverted to a report in the last Sunday Stabroek where the new Chairman of the GRA, Rawle Lucas was asked about concerns the public may have about the impact of public revelations of tax transactions.
Lucas had noted in the report that “every employee of GRA signs a confidentiality agreement and thus should not be disclosing personal tax information of any taxpayer, unless that taxpayer provides the authority to do so.”
At the board’s first meeting, Lucas said he had shared his expectations of how the Authority will function. “I made it clear in my opening remarks what I expect. Included in that [are guidelines about] the disclosure of information. I do not want us to be undermining the laws of Guyana nor seeking to make our taxpayers lose confidence in our institution,” he said.
The question of the disclosure of information had become prominent last year when it was alleged that sensitive tax information about private newspapers had been passed from the GRA to former President Bharrat Jagdeo and his former Attorney General Anil Nandlall. There have been other cases where it has been alleged that confidential information has been leaked from the GRA.
In its statement yesterday, the GRA said “Amid much media sensationalism surrounding the issue, the Authority maintains a strong policy regarding respect for the confidentiality of information and prohibits all staff from disclosing any sensitive information about clients and their affairs.
“Yet there continues to be conspicuous breaches in the confidentiality policy as was evident today when a former Minister disclosed on social media that a senior official within the GRA gave him prior information about sanctions that the Authority intend to institute for allegedly evading tax on motor vehicles.”
The GRA said that Section 4(1) of the Income Tax Act Chapter 81:01 states that “Every person having possession of or control over any documents, information, returns, or assessment lists or copies of those lists, relating to the income or items of income of anyone who at any time communicates or attempts to communicate that information, or anything contained in the documents, returns, lists or copies to any person… shall be guilty of an offence.”
The GRA added that it is enthused by Lucas’ promise in another Sunday Stabroek report about exploring the long-term possibilities of the GRA having “a campus of its own,” given the shortcomings which the Camp Street Headquarters has been experiencing”.
The GRA also noted a statement by Lucas that the new GRA Board is determined to examine ways in which revenue collection can be accomplished without hindering efficiency in business operations.
“The Board is a prestigious establishment under the Revenue Authority Act which holds responsibility for the approval and review of the policy and performance of the Authority and the institution of discipline and control of all members of staff.
“Of equal importance is the jurisdiction which the Section 12 (2) of the Revenue Authority Act gives the Minister to direct the Governing Board to carry out functions as he (the Minister) considers necessary or expedient and the Board shall give effect to such directives, but only the Authority shall have power to give effect to such laws as the Minister may by order specify…”, the board stated.
