The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) says it recovered $114m from an anti-smuggling crackdown between January and April this year.
A release from the GRA follows:
The Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) continues its efforts in the fight against smuggling, which is likely to be boosted as the Regional Operations launched its countrywide compliance campaign.
For the period January to April, 2016, LEID, through its planned activities has been able to recoup in excess of one hundred and fourteen million dollars ($114,000,000). These exercises continue to unearth a significant quantity of commonly smuggled items which include foreign imported chicken, mosquito coils that are banned and motor vehicles.
For a number of these offences, the offenders have been identified for the first time. However, in some cases it has been noted that the perpetrators are repeat offenders, in which case the penalties are levied as payment triple the value of the duties.
And even as LEID continues its operations, the Regional Operations has begun a countrywide compliance campaign with the aim of ensuring all businesses or persons who are required to pay taxes are complying with all necessary requirements in terms of licences etc.
As a result of the compliance campaign, it has been discovered that a large number of businesses are non-compliant. Business owners were informed of their shortcomings and follow-up visits will be forthcoming.
The compliance campaign is ongoing and persons are being encouraged to visit the GRA and get their relevant documentation in order.
In addition to the efforts of LEID and the Regional Operations, the Communication and Tax Advisory Services Division of the GRA will also be continuing its Public Awareness campaign.
