USA Africa Dialogue Series - The Gambia Tax Collection

Published on Friday, 22 November 2013 18:06 | Written by Ousman Njie

Foroyaa has published the public notice issued by the Taxauthority. It is important to focus on. The categories of businesses that are being asked to settle their tax obligation on or before 15 December 2013 are: Painters/Sign Writers, Firewood and Charcoal Vendors, Bicycle Mechanics, Radio/Television/Mobile Repairs, Barbers, Masons, Building Contractors, Electrical Workers, Plumbers, Video/DVD Shop Owners, DVD/Cassette Vendors/Rentals, Newspaper Vendors, Telecentre/Cyber Cafe Operators, Beach Bar Proprietors, Handicrafts/Batik/Wood Carvers Vendors, Fishmongers (Individuals/Canoe Owners), Flowers, Fruits and Vegetable Street Vendors, Market Stalls, Vehicle Tyre Repairs, Market Butcher, Market Fish Vendors, Motor Mechanics, Carpenters, Bakeries ( Oven Owners and Others), Iron Benders, Welders, Tailors, Butchers ( Cattle/Small Ruminants), Cattle Dealers (Cattle, Small Ruminants and Meat Roasters), Foreign Exchange Bureaus, Hair Dressers (Small Shops/Saloon Owners), Black Smiths, Gold/Silver Smiths, Freelance Photographers (Freelance photographers/Photographic  Studio Owners), Visiting Musicians, Artistes and Entertainers (Non-Gambians), Taxi Drivers and Gelegele and Van Drivers, Street Carwash Owners.

Without the expansion of the productive base of the economy and the accumulation of royalties; dividends and other public funds, the tax base must be stretched to its limit to try to address  budget deficits and  the growing public debt.

The real solution is how to  build the productive base on the economy to improve the earning capacity of individuals and corporations , both public and private and thus increase the capacity to contribute to public funds.