Dear Editor,

Please permit me space in your newspaper to express my utmost dissatisfaction with the level of professionalism displayed by the Guyana Revenue Authority when addressing issues that does not record an increase of their revenue.I refer to a current situation that I have with the GRA with regards to excess income tax that was deducted out of my 2015 annual income. As is required, every individual must submit an annual declaration of their individual income tax and whilst preparing same for the accounting period 2015, I discovered that excess monies were paid to the GRA.

I have since written the GRA highlighting this oversight and also requested a refund of the excess, as we approach the junction of another annual individual income tax declaration, I thought it best to visit the GRA Camp Street Office to inquire about my concerns.

To my dismay, I was reliably informed by an employee of the GRA that processing for refunds for the year 2015 has not yet commenced. I pause to calculate the year that we are living in if 2015 processing has not yet commenced.

One must stop to wonder if the Guyana Revenue Authority indirectly intends to be a burden on the citizens of Guyana while serving the very citizens.

I have in the past submitted late returns to the GRA and I was heavily fined for this neglect on my part.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”

Yours sincerely,

Alister Burke
Taxpayer