THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has commenced a series of Taxation Workshops geared specifically at meeting the needs of self-employed persons. 

These interactive sessions are being facilitated, free of cost, at the GRA’s Headquarters, 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, from 09:00 hrs to 12 noon, Monday to Friday, and are expected to conclude on Friday, February 20, 2015.
Over the years, the GRA has noted with increased concern the tendency of self-employed persons to take a lackluster approach to the payment of taxes. This category of taxpayers often experience difficulties in correctly completing tax related documents and in many instances would ignore their obligation to pay taxes on a quarterly basis.
It is against this backdrop that the GRA has taken the initiative to design a series of workshops aimed at ensuring that self-employed persons are well informed of their tax obligations, thereby, fostering healthier relationships, and further allowing for easier transaction processes between them and the Guyana Revenue Authority.
The specific areas of concentration for these sessions include, but are not limited to: the Preparation of Financial Statements, deductions allowed and expenses to be claimed, correct preparation and completion of Tax Returns, record-keeping and other areas of difficulty facing self-employed persons.
In this regard, Commissioner General of the GRA, Mr. Khurshid Sattaur has expressed the hope that with the completion of these workshops there would be a significant increase in the number of accurate returns submitted to the Authority and increased levels of compliance among self- employed persons. Mr. Sattaur further urged self-employed persons to “get in contact with the GRA and register as soon as possible to be a part of these workshops. The registration process is ongoing and new persons can register at any time.”

For the GRA’s purposes, a self-employed person is any person who works for him/herself and is responsible for setting charges for goods or services offered. Examples of self- employed persons include doctors, lawyers, beauticians, barbers, taxi-drivers, mini-bus owners and operators, farmers, hucksters and shop-keepers.

The GRA is encouraging self-employed persons to take full advantage of these workshops since it is in their best interest to understand their tax obligations. Person desirous of participating in these workshops or in any other specific workshop on various tax-related matters can contact the Communication & Tax Advisory Services Division, Tax Advisory Services Section, 227-6060 extensions 1201, 1203 & 1204, to schedule a convenient date. All workshops facilitated by the GRA remain free of charge.