GRA urges quick response to queries for VAT registration – five working days remaining Commissioner (ag.) of the Value Added and Excise Taxes Department, Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Hema Khan is urging persons who were contacted about queries for their Value Added Tax (VAT) registration applications to respond early.

Khan said the VAT Department had some queries with a few persons but several of them have not responded to the queries resulting in a delay in the completion of their registration process being incomplete.

It is important that these persons make contact with the VAT Department to complete the registration process to ensure timely receipt of their certificates.

She is also encouraging other business persons who have queries about the registration process to contact the VAT Department as early as possible so that they are registered before the stipulated December 31, 2006 deadline.

Meanwhile Mrs. Bridget Abraham, Assistant Commissioner, Operations noted that there are five working days remaining and businesses should avoid the last minute rush to secure their certificates before January 1, 2007.

She said while the law gives the Commissioner-General 10 days to register an applicant, the VAT Department is working diligently to issue certificates within two days of receipt of the application.

Registration for VAT began on October 1 this year. The deadline for persons who will be eligible to charge and collect the tax from January 1, 2007 is December 31, 2006.

So far more than 1,600 businesses have registered with the VAT Department. The GRA will publish a list of the registrants shortly.

The Authority is currently analyzing the tax roll to determine persons or businesses that should be registered but who have not yet done so and will take the necessary action.

The VAT law gives the Commissioner-General the authority to register persons who should be registered. In addition, there are civil and criminal penalties which may apply.