Taxation sector asked to help remove obstacles for business
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh has asked the taxation sector to continue designing policies to ease business difficulties, creating suitable growth in 2014.
Speaking at a January 14 conference to review the sector’s operation in 2013, Ninh said it is necessary to clearly classify debts and outline plans to collect and settle stagnant debts.
He said the sector should exert more efforts to prevent fraudulent transfer pricing, control tax refunds and speed up administrative reforms as well as the application of information technology in tax management, while strengthening training for staff.
The sector should also continue fostering coordination with others and enhance dialogues with enterprises, he stressed.
Bui Van Nam, General Director of the General Department of Taxation, in 2014, the sector will strive to exceed the set target for State budget collection by a minimum of 5%, while intensifying tax inspection in at least 14.65% of the total operating enterprises.
The sector will also enhance the control of tax refunds in accordance with the law, especially in value added tax.
It will work to provide access to an e-tax service for 90% of business taxpayers, so they can submit their declarations online, Nam said.
He said that negotiations for double taxation avoidance agreements with other countries and territories will also be stepped up. Meanwhile, transparency in investment, equipment purchasing and staff recruitment will also be enhanced.
According to the General Department of Taxation, the sector collected VND676.696 trillion (US$31.8 billion) in tax, equivalent to 105% of the projection and 112.7% of the figure in 2012.
Of the amount, tax from crude oil sales was VND120.436 trillion (US$5.64 billion) and domestic tax was VND556.260 trillion (US$26.144 billion), equivalent to 102% of the projection and up 17.8% over that of 2012.
Forty-seven out of the 63 localities nationwide reached their projection, while tax arrears collected after inspections totalled nearly VND13.200 trillion (US$602.4 million) and loss reduction was VND11.430 trillion (US$537.21 million), the department said.
It added as of November 30, 2013, the sector collected 52% of all tax debts. A debt increase of over 30% was seen in as many as 30 localities, while a decrease was enjoyed in seven others.