THE Guyana Revenue Authority has taken legal action against three New Amsterdam businesses which have failed to submit individual income and property tax returns for a total of thirty years; hence charges were instituted against Dr. Ganesh Shivkumar, trading under the name and style of Dr. Ganesh Poly Clinic, of St Ann Street; Attorney-at-law Michael Baird of Smythfield, and Triple ‘S’ Taxi Service operator Ms. Romain Rambarrat of Gay Park.

Each defendant appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and pleaded not guilty to the charges instituted by the Guyana Revenue Authority.

Court documents revealed that, on or before the 30th day of April of each of the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, Dr. Ganesh of Lot 8-1 St Ann Street failed to submit either income or property tax returns to the Commissioner General for the years of assessment 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Attorney-at-law Mr. Michael Baird is alleged to have failed to submit individual income and property tax returns for the years of assessment 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. His legal counsel, Mr. Lloyd Thomas, argued that his client’s tax returns were prepared by a named individual, and it was on receipt of the GRA notice that he became aware of the non-submission of the relevant returns. He said his client has since lodged the relevant receipts, which were accepted by the Guyana Revenue Authority.

Ms. Romain Rambarrat is charged with failing to submit income and property tax returns for years of assessment 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Her legal counsel, Ms. Carolyn Artiga, informed the court that Ms Rambarrat had filed her returns at the GRA office on October 23, 2013; but Attorney Ms. Martha Halley, representing the GRA, emphasised that the Act stipulates that returns must be filed by April 30, failing which a fine would be instituted according to law.

The defendants were sent on their own recognisance, and are expected to return to court on November 21 for report.

(By Jeune Bailey Vankeric)