Dear Editor,
Please permit me space to highlight an issue I believe the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company should address without delay. I believe we would all agree that since Mr. Damian Blackburn took the helm of that company, there has been notable changes in its operations. One such change is the introduction of new social bundles available to subscribers.
These data plans are making rounds on social media and is visible on GTT’s website. About two days ago I decided to take a closer look at the packages available, and along with the advertised price is a note saying Value Added Tax, or Vat, is included. Editor, the advertised packages have all the options available for the price, but the issue of concern is the VAT. Are we paying VAT on Data service? I recalled hearing that this service was zero rated for residential purposes and individuals. I did some research and called the GRA for verification of the information I found.
Schedule 1 Paragraph 18 of the VAT Act, Chapter 81:05, zero-rates a supply of internet data for residential and individual usage. My question therefore is, what is VAT being applied to in these packages? Is it the calls included in the package or the Short Messaging Service (SMS) for texting? Whatever the case may be, it would be prudent for GTT to include a note in their Ad informing subscribers of which service VAT is applicable.
Sincerely,
Rashan Reid
