Police asked to investigate alleged abuses at VAT Department

jcmicallef

Apr 5th 2009, 11:06

@ m mallia

i dont know whether your comment was addressed to my earlier one, anyhow, i'd like to clarify a few things.

the balance of Lm 5 was result of something of whcih we were aware, in fact in the first return, we paid the additional tax but for some silly reason, Lm 5 was left unallocated in the accounts kept by the VAT dept.

in 3 years, we never received a statement or bill. one fine day, we decided to notify a change in details, and bingo, a statement for Euro 350 was received?

So our very busy people at the vat dept simply ignored the amount for 3 years and then, someone suddenly woke up and sent us a bill which, the way the interest is worked out, puts all 'usura' practice to shame.

Just as shameful as the goverment's imposed 1% per month interest on outstanding taxes, etc, now revised to 0.75% per month.

But that's another story.

so, M Mallia, the taxpayer is not as stupid as you may think, but then the vat dept cannot continuously move goalposts or the carpet from beneath taxpayer's feet!

Denis Catania

Apr 4th 2009, 18:23

I have a case( Denis Catania/ D&S import/export vs VAT Dept) where I was overcharged. I appealed to the VAT department. I won.

The VAT department decided to waste tax payers money and appeal it to the courts.

The courts two months ago, found I was right and that the VAT acted illegally.

Now I ask. WHERE IS MY MONEY???

M.Mallia

Apr 4th 2009, 15:07

That taxpayer who is liable to pay a penalty is that person who submits his tax return with or without payment after the due date. Which means that he had six weeks available to submit his VAT return but decided not to give notice of it. In other words someone who does not bother to honour his commitment to submit the money collected on behalf of the Government on time.

Mr. taxpayer please note!!!

Most probably the Department receives quite a few hundreds of objection letters for consideration. However it is not justified to solve this problem three years after. But if people start submitting their VAT return on time, the problem like the one mentioned can be avoided.

Again Mr. taxpayer please note!!!

jmicallef

Apr 4th 2009, 08:30

that's good news.

perhaps they should investigate how come a penalty of Lm dating back 3 years (paid, but was incorrectly allocated by the vat people) results in a hefty € 350 fine, and when inquiring, you are told: "you are right...yes...let me check...hmmmm.....seems you are right. can I call you back?". A few hours you get a call, in a totally different tone "i'm sorry, i cannot do anything for you, seems you have to pay the fine after all.....you can write to object if you wish".

Only after getting an auditor in the picture, who goes to the vat dept and gives them a piece of his mind, do they admit to their mistake.

This small republic within a republic should be curbed. VAT dept is there to collect taxes, true, but it's also there to serve the country and its people. its become worse than the IRD.
sometimes wonder where the money truly goes! down the drain, i guess.

t. borg

Apr 3rd 2009, 21:54

i am still waiting for refund for my mother's funeral who died seven months ago. is this also is being investigated? can who is responsable tell me why people are not being paid promtly.