On August 14th, 2024, the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce hosted a significant “Listening Session” with Mr. Trevor Brathwaite, former Comptroller of Inland Revenue and current Consultant to the Government of St. Lucia. The session aimed to gather feedback from Chamber members on their experiences and interactions with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), as part of an ongoing review to enhance the department’s service delivery.
During the meeting, Mr. Brathwaite shared insightful updates, including the Inland Revenue Department’s plans to migrate to a new software platform. This new system is expected to integrate property taxes, offering a more holistic and streamlined service to taxpayers.
The proposed upgrade is part of the government’s broader effort to modernize the department’s operations and improve overall efficiency.
However, the session also brought to light several concerns from the business community. Chamber members expressed frustrations regarding the ease of doing business with the IRD, citing instances where employees appeared to misplace documents, categorised filings with incorrect suffixes, lack sufficient training in new legislation or lack awareness of the appropriate contacts for specific matters. This, they noted, often leads to inefficiencies within the department, which could potentially result in unnecessary audits for compliant taxpayers.
Another critical concern raised was the protection of taxpayer data, particularly when using the IRD’s online platforms. Members emphasised the importance of ensuring that the new software and existing systems safeguard sensitive information and maintain public trust.
The feedback gathered during this session will be instrumental in shaping the Consultant’s recommendations to the government. Mr. Brathwaite expressed his appreciation for the candid input provided by Chamber members and assured them that their concerns would be thoroughly considered in the forthcoming report.
The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce remains committed to advocating for a business environment that is both efficient and secure, and we look forward to continued collaboration with the government and other stakeholders to achieve these goals.