The Inland Revenue Division (IRD) of the Ministry of Finance, in continuing with its implementation activities for the launch of E-taxation services, commenced its Business Education component on Monday 10 June, 2013.
The training session is geared at exposing the participants to the Online (Front End) System by providing practical demonstrations of the various functions of the System. Participants are also being briefed on what can be expected in their interactions with the IRD. The training is being facilitated by Ms. Asta Dagiene of the Norway Registers Development AS (NRD), the firm contracted to develop the Front End System for the Windward Islands.
Declaring the training session open was the Minister of State, responsible for ICT in the Ministry of Communications, Works and ICT, Minister Alvin Da Breo. Minister Da Breo lauded theMinistry of Finance, in particular the IRD, for this bold initiative, at a time when Government has identified ICT as one of the driving forces of the New Economy. He stated that he is particularly pleased that tax services would now be readily available for persons in the diaspora, who in the past, were dependent on relatives and friends to conduct to their transactions for them. He praised the businesses present for taking the time to learn the operations of this new system.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mike Sylvester, encouraged the businesses present to embrace the system and make the best use of it. He further told them that this tax system is expected to create a favourable tax environment which will undoubtedly redound into increased benefits for all parties.
Comptroller of the IRD, Ms. Pauline Peters, highlighted some of the benefits of the new system including easier access to filing and paying of taxes with 24 hour service. She reiterated the importance of this training for ensuring a smooth implementation process.
E-taxation services are scheduled to be launched in July 2013.
Ministry of Finance & Energy