GRA confirms settlement reached in Glenn Lall and Friends matter

GRA confirms settlement reached in Glenn Lall and Friends matter

The Guyana Revenue Authority has announced that it has withdrawn tax evasion charges against Kaieteur News publisher Glenn Lall, his wife Bhena Lall and the re-migrant couple, Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan.

The four were charged back in October in connection with the importation of two luxury lexus Sports Utility vehicles by the Brijnanans.

The couple used the duty free re-migrant facility to import the vehicles but after Lall and his wife were seen using the vehicles, the GRA moved in and accused the four of evading taxes. They have always maintained their innocence and the Lalls said they were friends with the re-migrant couple and would borrow their vehicles for security purposes.

News Source understands that the GRA and all the parties involved were able to reach a settlement on the matter last Tuesday and the two luxury vehicles which were seized have since been returned to the re-migrant couple.

Details of the settlement are unclear but reports suggest that some amount of money was paid over to the Revenue Authority as taxes for the importation of the vehicles. It is not known what tax rate was applied.

In a statement on Friday, the GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur said “After some discussions, we were agreeable with the proposal put before us, as we are more inclined to amicable resolutions rather than litigious ones. Notwithstanding, we are prepared to go the distance to protect tax revenues”.

The GRA is now urging those persons who are contemplating making use of concession schemes to be cognizant of the laws including anti money laundering legislation, regulations, international agreements and policies governing same as there are serious consequences once found guilty of violating the laws pertaining to such offences.

 

Filed: 6th February, 2015

 

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