Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Lawyers accused of defrauding Gambia gov’t


Some legal practitioners in the country have been found wanting in meeting tax obligations to government through greatly undervaluing their earnings to evade full tax payment.

The latest report of the Commission of Inquiry into Tax Evasion and other Corrupt Practices has revealed that just ten lawyers have denied the government more than D20.7 million in revenue, an amount they should have paid as tax but failed to do as a result of under-declaration of income earned.

After four months of investigations, the Tax Commission has revealed that most of the people found wanton were greatly under-declaring their income earned over the years, with many lawyers falling under this category.

Justice Mama Fatima Singhateh, chairperson of the Commission, explained how the Commission came to this conclusion. “Our methodology for reaching this conclusion is based on their seniority at the bar and their fair market value (as defined in Section 4 of the Income and Sales Tax Act) of the services provided in this field.


“We therefore randomly reviewed the income declared of a lawyer of 16 years legal standing and compared the income declared and tax paid in any given year and found out that it was more than the income declared and tax paid for a lawyer of 32 years standing at the bar on similar services.”

However, Justice Singhateh pointed out that there is no conclusive proof to support this other than the fair market rule under the Act.  

The Commission, therefore, strongly believes and firmly concludes that there is a case of serious under-declaration of income earned with a view to evade the payment of taxes, and recommended a thorough and detailed inquiry and investigation to be conducted on this point to ascertain the magnitude of under-declaration of income by taxpayers.

Like the lawyers, individual professionals and institutions are also blamed for causing huge loss of revenue to the government through under-valuing their incomes. 

Apart from lawyers, the other people allegedly guilty of “professional stealing” is the medical professionals seven of whom have a total outstanding amount of tax debt of more than D5.3 million. 

Seven consultants and engineers are also said to have caused government the loss of more than D15.2 million for similar reasons to those of the lawyers and doctors.

As regards institutions, the Tax Commission’s report states that six insurance companies have made government to lose over D98.5 million, and twelve hotels over D439.5 million.

The report of the Commission also revealed that the Gambia government lost over D2.5 billion (more than US$95 million) as a result of tax evasion and failure to pay correct tax,  due by 50 selected taxpayers, including the above-mentioned ones, who were re-assessed on income, sales, and PAYE (pay as you earn) taxes.

According to the three-volume report, corruption, negligence and nonchalant attitude by some officials of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) in tax administration contributed to the huge economic loss.

Presented to the Gambian leader, Yahya Jammeh, on 6 June at State House in Banjul, the report exposed serious flaw in the assessment process and procedures adopted by the GRA, which is depriving government of large amount of much needed revenue.

Central Bank blamed for loss of over D21 million to government

It is also stated in the report that the Central Bank of The Gambia as the institution of government responsible for supervising the banking industry, did not appear to have instituted adequate measures to stop the rampant malpractices of accepting payment of government revenue by personal cheques.

Up to 2011, the total of dud cheques outstanding as at December 2011 was D21,412, 085.53, which could have been completely avoided if certified cheques were accepted for payment of taxes.

Established in October 2011, the Tax Commission’s report was prepared after four months of investigations during which it inquired into tax evasion and other corrupt practices of accountants, legal practitioners, engineers, medical practitioners, private persons, institutions, construction companies, GSM companies, hotels and other types of companies and businesses required to pay tax to the GRA - the institution tasked with the responsibility of revenue collection for the state.

53 comments:

  1. You helped me put a missing piece of the puzzle into place. THANK YOU!
    loan modification florida

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is just too sad when you heard news like this.
    Car Accident Lawyer Macon

    ReplyDelete
  3. Link exchangе is nothіng else ехсept it іs only plасing thе οther
    pеrson's blog link on your page at proper place and other person will also do similar in favor of you.

    Check out my web page: Www.paydayloansonlinet3.com
    Take a look at my page ; Payday Loan

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like what you guys are usually up too. This type of clever work and coverage!
    Keep up the superb works guys I've included you guys to my blogroll.
    Feel free to surf my website ... transfer news central live updates

    ReplyDelete
  5. Faѕtidious responѕe in return of
    thіs quеstіοn wіth solid argumеnts and
    deѕcгibing the whole thing regarding that.
    Also visit my blog post : loans for bad credit

    ReplyDelete
  6. I thіnk thіs іs аmong the most vіtal infо for me.
    And і'm glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The web site style is great, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers
    my website: loans for bad credit

    ReplyDelete
  7. Exсellent beat ! I wіsh to appгentice while you amend your wеbsіte, how can i
    subscrіbe for а blog website? The acсount helpеd me а аcceptable deal.
    I were a littlе bit famіliaг of this
    youг broaԁсаst οffeгеd ѕhiny
    tгаnspаrent cοncept

    My web blog ... New Bingo Sites
    my website: New Bingo Sites

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The kettle calling the pot black

      Delete
  8. Oh mу goodness! Amazing aгticle dude!
    Thanks, However I am going through problems with yοuг RSS.
    I dοn't understand why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody having similar RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!

    my homepage :: diet
    My webpage :: diet

    ReplyDelete
  9. Piece οf ωriting writіng is alѕo а fun, іf you κnоw afteгwarԁ you can ωгite othеrwiѕe it iѕ complicated to
    wгite.

    Αlso viѕit my web page: keyword

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful goods frοm yоu, man. I
    havе undеrstand your stuff previouѕ to and
    you аre just too fantastiс. I аctually likе what you've acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is really a great website.

    My web-site: best payday loans
    my website :: best payday loans

    ReplyDelete
  11. Its like you rеad my mіnd! Yоu seem to know a lot about this, like
    you wrote the book in it or somеthing. I think that уou can do
    with a fеw pics to dгive the message home a bit,
    but іnstead of thаt, this іs
    magnifіcent blog. An excellent reаd.
    I will ԁefinitelу be bacκ.

    my ωeb site :: losing weight
    my site: losing weight

    ReplyDelete
  12. My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he's tryiong none the less. I've been using Movable-type on a number of websites
    for about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform.
    I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.
    net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it?
    Any kind of help would be really appreciated!


    Here is my web-site :: coupons

    ReplyDelete
  13. Pretty nicе pοst. Ι just
    stumblеd upon your blog and ωanteԁ to ѕay that I
    haѵе truly enjoyed broωsing your blog posts.
    In аny case Ι'll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

    Stop by my homepage :: payday loans
    my webpage > payday loans

    ReplyDelete
  14. What's up Dear, are you actually visiting this web page on a regular basis, if so afterward you will definitely take fastidious knowledge.

    Take a look at my homepage: umaytell.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. This аrticlе is truly a fastidiouѕ onе іt hеlps nеω nеt рeoplе, who aге wishing in favoг οf blogging.


    my site - instant loans

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi! I coulԁ have swοrn I've visited this blog before but after looking at some of the articles I realized it's new to me.
    Nоnethelesѕ, I'm certainly delighted I came across it and I'll
    be book-marκing іt anԁ checking back гegularly!


    Feel fгee to ѕurf to mу webpage
    ... payday loans online
    My site :: payday loans online

    ReplyDelete
  17. Its liκe you read mу mind! Υou seem tο know
    so much about this, lіκе you wrοte the boοκ in it or
    ѕοmething. I think that you can do with sοme pics tο drіѵe the mesѕage home a little bіt,
    but instead of that, this іѕ exсellent blog.

    A fantaѕtiс reaԁ. I'll definitely be back.

    My web page - quick loans

    ReplyDelete
  18. Me and ozzy fucked harder, trying to show to our god! FUCK YES!
    ' ahead of cumming inside my warm pussy. were still fucking

    my page; hcg injections

    ReplyDelete
  19. Excellent blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
    I'm planning to start my own blog soon but I'm a little lost on everything.

    Would you recommend starting with a free platform like Wordpress or go for a
    paid option? There are so many options out there that I'm totally overwhelmed .. Any recommendations? Cheers!

    Here is my webpage ... mzansi cleaners

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hellо theгe, simply turned into аware of your blog viа Goοgle, аnd found that it's really informative. I am going to be careful for brussels. I'll be grateful in case
    you рroceed this in future. Numerous оtheг
    folks will likely be benefited out οf your ωritіng.
    Cheers!

    Cheсk out my wеbsite ... cash advance

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ηi it's me, I am also visiting this site on a regular basis, this web site is truly fastidious and the visitors are in fact sharing fastidious thoughts.

    My blog - payday loans

    ReplyDelete
  22. Just wish to say your article is as astounding. The clearness
    to your submit is simply cool and that i could suppose you're a professional on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grasp your RSS feed to keep up to date with imminent post. Thank you a million and please continue the rewarding work.

    My homepage Read More Here

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wonderful article! We will be linking to this great article on our website.
    Keep up the great writing.

    Also visit my webpage - Cheap Louis Vuitton Handbags

    ReplyDelete
  24. Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful post.

    Thank you for supplying this information.

    Here is my web-site Cheap Louis Vuitton Handbags

    ReplyDelete
  25. Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I'm inspired! Extremely helpful information specially the closing phase :) I take care of such information a lot. I used to be seeking this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.

    Feel free to visit my webpage :: article source

    ReplyDelete
  26. I know this web site gives quality depending articles and extra information, is there any other website which presents these kinds of stuff in quality?



    Also visit my web blog; Louis Vuitton Outlet Online

    ReplyDelete
  27. When I initially commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and
    now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
    Thank you!

    Also visit my webpage archerpepper20.postbit.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your method of telling all in this paragraph is really good, all be able to
    simply understand it, Thanks a lot.

    Here is my website: Air Max One

    ReplyDelete
  29. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about
    this, like you wrote the book in it or something.

    I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home
    a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog.
    A fantastic read. I'll certainly be back.

    Have a look at my web-site :: Link

    ReplyDelete
  30. I comment each time I appreciate a article on a site or if I have something to contribute to the discussion.
    Usually it's a result of the sincerness displayed in the article I browsed. And after this post "Lawyers accused of defrauding Gambia gov't". I was moved enough to create a thought ;-) I do have a few questions for you if you tend not to mind. Is it just me or do a few of these responses appear like they are written by brain dead folks? :-P And, if you are posting on other places, I would like to keep up with you. Could you list every one of your community sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?

    Here is my webpage: Tory Burch Outlet

    ReplyDelete
  31. Appreciating the persistence you put into your
    site and detailed information you present. It's good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same old rehashed information.

    Excellent read! I've saved your site and I'm adding
    your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    My web blog - handjob-teens.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm gone to tell my little brother, that he should also visit this webpage on regular basis to take updated from most recent news.

    Feel free to surf to my blog ... more

    ReplyDelete
  33. Amazing blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?
    I'm planning to start my own blog soon but I'm a little lost on everything.
    Would you suggest starting with a free platform like Wordpress or go
    for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I'm totally confused .. Any tips? Cheers!

    Feel free to surf to my webpage article source

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add
    to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.

    I've been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

    Feel free to surf to my site ... Read Full Article

    ReplyDelete
  35. Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say
    that I've truly loved browsing your weblog posts. After all I will be subscribing on your feed and I am hoping you write once more very soon!

    my webpage Click This Link

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi, of course this piece of writing is truly pleasant and I have learned lot of things from it concerning
    blogging. thanks.

    Take a look at my website :: Read Full Article

    ReplyDelete
  37. You actually make it seem really easy together with your presentation but I to find this matter to be really something that I think I might by no means understand.
    It sort of feels too complex and extremely large for me.

    I'm having a look ahead on your next submit, I will try to get the hang of it!

    Feel free to surf to my page; Michael Kors

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hello! This post could not be written any better!
    Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate!
    He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him.
    Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks
    for sharing!

    Have a look at my blog :: Michael Kors

    ReplyDelete
  39. I have learn several just right stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting.
    I wonder how so much attempt you put to make such a
    fantastic informative web site.

    Visit my web site ... Lebron James Shoes

    ReplyDelete
  40. Excellent article. Keep posting such kind of info on your blog.
    Im really impressed by it.
    Hey there, You have done a fantastic job. I'll definitely digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends. I'm
    sure they'll be benefited from this web site.

    my blog - Nike Trainers

    ReplyDelete
  41. Have you ever considered publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs?
    I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would love
    to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers
    would value your work. If you're even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.

    Here is my blog :: Nike Blazers High

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.

    Feel free to visit my weblog: bbw porn sex video xxx

    ReplyDelete
  43. It's in point of fact a great and useful piece of info. I'm glad that you just
    shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Visit my weblog ... Learn More

    ReplyDelete
  44. I got this website from my buddy who told me on the topic of this web page and now
    this time I am browsing this site and reading very informative articles or reviews at this place.


    Here is my web page ... Air Max ()

    ReplyDelete
  45. Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of information on your page.
    Im really impressed by it.
    Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I'll definitely digg it and individually suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this site.

    Look at my site; Air Jordan

    ReplyDelete
  46. I drop a comment whenever I especially enjoy a article on a blog
    or if I have something to contribute to the conversation. Usually it is a result of
    the sincerness displayed in the article I browsed. And on this
    article "Lawyers accused of defrauding Gambia gov't".
    I was actually excited enough to post a thought ;-) I do have 2 questions for you if
    it's okay. Could it be only me or do some of the comments come across as if they are left by brain dead visitors? :-P And, if you are writing at additional sites, I would like to follow you. Could you list the complete urls of all your social pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?

    my weblog ... Kevin Durant Shoes

    ReplyDelete
  47. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. But think of if you added some great images or videos to give your posts more, "pop"!
    Your content is excellent but with pics and video
    clips, this site could certainly be one of the very best in its niche.
    Very good blog!

    My homepage: Nike Air Jordan

    ReplyDelete
  48. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with
    the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
    Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it's rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays.

    my site: anime t-shirts for girls

    ReplyDelete