Dear Editor,
Recently I saw in the newspapers GRA lamenting that the majority of self-employed taxpayers are not filing income tax returns. Well the way GRA are treating the small minority that have decided to submit their tax returns, I doubt this situation will change.
GRA have embarked on a campaign of disallowing anything and everything that is submitted, and then demanding astronomical amounts in additional assessments. I have heard a story of GRA rejecting Internet minutes as an allowable expense – for an internet business. How much more ridiculous could someone get?
The GRA Commissioner General, in a meeting with miners, promised that the commission would be reasonable and understanding when it comes to the examination of miners’ income tax returns for 2017. However in reality that has not been the case. Recently a miner received a letter whereby GRA disallowed the entire amount claimed for Contract Labour and is demanding almost nine million dollars as additional taxes.
For several reasons it is not always feasible and possible to employ people on a full-time basis, so the position is taken to enter into a contract arrangement whereby the individuals would sign a contract agreeing to work as a freelance /self-employed agent. I don’t know since when and how such an arrangement is illegal, unlawful and unacceptable.
GRA and by extension this government is hell bent on creating more hardship for the people who are complying with the law. With a change in government one would have expected a level playing field and a common sense approach, but that has not been the case. The people that were stealing for years and have enormous visible wealth are untouched and going along with their merry lives. The contractors that were benefiting from the unfair system that was in place are still enjoying the sweet. The people into massive illegal business are still moving around freely and are not being hounded down by GRA. Only business people that are struggling for survival have to face GRA’s wrath.
I am totally sick and fed-up with this situation.
Yours faithfully,
Trevor Charles
