Fmr Housing Minister denies $40M tax evasion on vehicles
Former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali.
Former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali has taken to his Facebook Page to vent his frustration that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be seeking to institute taxes on a vehicle he acquired during his time in office.
iNews understands that the taxes include duties on two luxury vehicles which Ali imported within the last five years. As is stipulated by law, government Ministers and Parliamentarians are entitled to tax waivers on vehicles.
According to the law, “A member of Parliament maybe entitled to one or two motor vehicles for every sitting of Parliament.” Further, section 23 (c) of the Customs Act states: “The eligible Public Officer, members of Parliament or qualifying re-migrant transfers or leases the motor vehicle prior to the expiration of three years in the case of a used vehicle and five years in the case of a new vehicle.”
According to the former government Minister he was informed by a senior GRA official that instructions were given to institute taxes on motor vehicle he acquired as a Member of Parliament in the 10th Parliament.
Ali maintains that the importation was legally done.
“This concession was recommended and approved by all the relevant authority. I was shocked when this officer approached me on Friday night after the Parliament to inform me that I will be receiving a letter from GRA on Monday asking me to pay taxes on this vehicle. I said it before and I will restate it, the witch hunting and vindictive action aimed at members of the former Government will not move me and my convictions,” Ali wrote on his Facebook Page.
He posted a letter which he received from GRA, dated March 3, 2014 and signed by Commissioner General of the GRA, Khurshid Sattaur, informing him that his request for tax exemptions on the two vehicles were granted, given the fact that he was last granted tax waivers on March 04, 2011 during the 9th Parliament.
“All my actions have been consistently within the laws of Guyana and as such I am putting the country on notice that these targeted actions to silence me will not succeed. I am prepared to deal with and have all the documents to justify the stated facts. I anxiously await the purported letter. I have nothing to hide or fear so would never succumb to any threats,” the former government Minister noted.
It should be noted also that the 2014 letter from GRA informed Ali that since the motor vehicle he imported in 2011 was under four years, he will be not be able to transfer it unless the pro – rated taxes are paid.
