Senior Reporter
dareece.polo@guardian.co.tt
The long lines outside the Board of Inland Revenue’s Campus Plaza yesterday morning were not solely due to property tax.
The BIR’s collection covers a wide range of taxes, including VAT, health surcharge, and PAYE paid by businesses and individuals. However, according to a source at the BIR office, the longer lines were caused by individuals paying for Caribbean Examination Council exams which will be written in January.
The source suggested relocating the cashier’s offices from upstairs to the lower floor to speed up the process.
BIR cashiers often close before 4 pm, which adds to the morning rush. Around 2.30 pm, a woman making her way to security to pay for identification was told the cashier was closed. Luckily, another security guard allowed her inside, ensuring she would not be forced to return another day.
A homeowner who identified himself only as Mr Browne said he found a way to beat the system. He said yesterday’s process was seamless.
“It was good, once you come in the afternoon before 3 o’clock. I usually come between 1 pm and 3 pm so it kind of ease down. I don’t know why people does rush in the morning,” he said.
Keston Leith said he spent approximately 15 minutes at the BIR to pay his property tax. He arrived around 2 pm and left before 2.30 pm. He suggested that the Ministry of Finance make provisions for property tax to be paid online.
“It will ease up the amount of people coming into the building because it have more than one payment to go to that cashier,” he said referencing PAYE and other taxes that are paid to the same cashier.
Efforts to reach officials at the Ministry of Finance for comment were unsuccessful, while Finance Minister Colm Imbert did not respond to calls or messages.