Tax defaulters urged to go negotiate with Inland Revenue Department

The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is planning to prosecute persons who are non-compliant in the payment of various forms of taxation here.

In his presentation of the 2023 Budget on Monday, January 9, Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves highlighted initiatives that the government will undertake to foster good governance.

One of these, he said “ shall be a renewed focus this year on tax dodgers, particularly those who have a history of withholding VAT and PAYE.”

“In 2023, the Inland Revenue Department will recommend that non-compliant VAT and PAYE withholders be prosecuted.”

The minister further urged that “those of you who have outstanding assessments, reach out and negotiate settlement of your arrears expeditiously.”

Commending the Inland Revenue Department for its improvement in collection, the finance minister argued that the department has been “more than patient with the people, places and businesses that view tax compliance as somehow optional or discretionary.”

He noted that “good governance, and sound decision making depends on accurate collection, analysis and application of data.”

With this in mind, the government is also planning to make some heavy investments to boost the institutional capacity and professionalism at the Statistical Office.

“A government of laws is not a government of flaws.

“We do not claim perfection; however, we do claim the determination to continue strengthening our institutions, and each day, to make good governance better,” Minister Gonsalves explained.