Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 25, 2018 (SKNIS): The St. Kitts and Nevis Inland Revenue Department remains strongly committed to executing its responsibilities, encouraging compliance, and making it easier for citizens and residents alike to do business.
This was echoed at the blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new location of the organization, held on Monday, June 25. Edward Gift, Comptroller of Inland Revenue, described the new location as customer-centric and spectacular, while at the same time expounding on the institution’s responsibilities, which include revenue collection; administration of laws of St. Kitts and Nevis; and improving the business environment so that businesses and citizens can easily comply with their obligation.
“The Inland Revenue Department does not take these responsibilities lightly. We understand that ensuring consistency in the application of the laws we administer assist in facilitating the competitiveness of businesses in the Federation by providing a level playing field,” said the comptroller. “We also understand that managing and sustaining high level of compliance it means that we must not be an impediment to business. We must ensure that our compliance activities not only allow companies to compete in the Federation but on the global scale.”
Mr. Gift explained that Inland Revenue’s approach to compliance is best described in the institution’s mission statement which reads: ‘to administer the tax laws in an efficient and equitable manner, to promote voluntary compliance, to maximize the revenue for the development of the Federation, in a manner that warrants the highest degree of public confidence in our professionalism and integrity’.
“Businesses… in the Federation always have had to adopt to trends and opportunities, and likewise the Inland Revenue Department ensuring compliance in this environment is always going to be an ongoing challenge,” he said. “This means that we must be on top of change, be able to identify change within the environment, and adopt our strategies to focus on that. One of the most important things we do is focus on improving the tax compliance rate,” he added, noting that since taking the helm, he has worked closely with his team to achieve such.
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, in delivering remarks, used the occasion to encourage individuals to comply with the various tax laws and obligations in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Inland Revenue Department is currently focused on improving compliance in five broad areas, namely, expanding customer service to tax payers; enhancing the department’s legal framework; modernizing the department’s operations; addressing specific compliance issues; and improving on relationships with stakeholders.
