In
their bid to strengthen tax compliance in the country, The Gambia Revenue
Authority (GRA) held a daylong tax seminar for local authorities in the North
Bank Region on Wednesday.
The
forum, held at the AFPRC conference in Farafenni, availed the participants of
the opportunity to have an education on Personal Income Tax, PAYE and an
overview of VAT Implementation in The Gambia.
Speaking
at the forum, GRA manager of Corporate and Public Affairs, Lamin Jarsey, said
the forum was important as it is part of the GRA’s attempt to educate and
sensitise the general public on the taxes it administers.
“These
efforts are geared towards modernising the tax system and improving the reforms
undertaken by government aimed at promoting macro-economic stability, improving
revenue mobilization and promoting efficiency in resource allocation,” he
noted.
The
forum, he added, was an aspect of progammes being undertaken with key
stakeholders in the country to deepen understanding and improve compliance.
“It
is our hope that you will continue to support the implementation of the
government’s tax reforms for nation building. We value and appreciate your
partnership and we kindly urge you to always engage with us on matters of
taxation to enhance greater understanding and appreciation,” he said.
For
his part, the deputy governor for North Bank Region, Mustapha Saidy,
underscored the significance of the forum, saying that it would widen their knowledge
on taxation.
The
NBR deputy governor noted that the payment of tax is crucial in national
development.
He
said the payment of tax is something that the government will not compromise
on, because development cannot not be undertaken in the absence of revenue.
Deputy
Governor Saidy added that government can implement its development aspirations
through the payment of taxes.
“We
have a new government in place. That why it is important we also change out
attitude regarding taxation. The laws that existed before are still in place.
If you don’t paid your tax the law will take issue,” he warned.
The
Deputy Director for Compliance, Taxpayer Education and Training, George W.
Thomas, also dwelled on the significance of the forum.
He
called for continued collaboration with local authorities with a view to
enabling tax-payment-compliance.