– all citizens will be dealt with based on tax principles, says GRA Head

THERE will be consistent treatment of taxpayers and this will be based on tax principles, not negotiations, according to Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia
The tax chief was, at the time, making reference to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) which has outstanding taxes of $44M for the agency.

At a press conference held at the GRA headquarters on Friday, Statia said GTT had requested to negotiate payments, but then, if such was done, then he would have to engage in such settlements with all taxpayers.

GTT, he said, has offered to pay a reduced sum but he is not accepting this.
“The taxes were objected to and subjected to appeals in court, and the court is yet to rule, they were trying to negotiate a settlement, and I told them no, it should be negotiated based on tax principles, because you are looking at consistent treatment of all tax payers; so if you negotiate a settlement with one party, then you have to negotiate with all taxpayers,” he said.

He noted that all settlements will only be based on tax principles and no other formula.
Statia said the court has given both sides a chance to see if an agreement can be reached but the commissioner-general is adamant that he cannot agree to something that would see a large reduction in taxes for the nation.