Government is streamlining the process of providing answers to people who have questions and concerns about the application and payment of taxes. The administration has re-established the Income Tax Tribunal, which had been out of commission for some time. Finance Minister Nazim Burke said the operation of the Tax Tribunal is very significant, since it affords an avenue for the exercise of natural justice and fairness.
The tribunal will also ensure that those who are charged with the administration of the law are doing the things that the law requires them to do,” explained Mr. Burke, who is also Planning and Economic Development Minister. He describes tax collection as very important in the functioning of the country, hence the urgency to re-establish the Tribunal.
“The existence of the Tribunal also promotes tax compliance, something that is really quite important for us,” stressed Mr. Burke. “If the government is to survive, if they are to maintain and preserve the revenue base, if they are to be able to provide goods and services, it must have revenues to do so.”
The reconstruction of the Tribunal comes as government moves to strengthen the Inland Revenue Department’s ability to enforce tax laws, following the expiration of a tax amnesty for individuals and businesses that were in arrears to the government. The amnesty ended April 30.
The commissioners, who form the Tribunal, will hear and adjudicate on tax appeals from Grenadians. This will be done after assessment of income tax liability by the Comptroller of Inland Revenue.