Filenews 15 May 2022 - by Eleftheria Paizanos
At the end of the year, the first stage of the Unified Tax Management System of the Tax Department (Tax For All) is expected to be put into operation. The new system is expected to put on a new basis the operation and performance of the competent Department of Taxation, while it will replace all existing systems and electronic applications that operate today.
Tax For All will solve the hands of taxpayers and make the tax department's procedures more simplified. The new system will be completed in three stages and fully operational in the last months of 2023. Each stage of operation of the system concerns different types of taxes and functions. More specifically, at the end of the year, the regulations concerning direct taxation, i.e. VAT, will be put into operation. At the same time, the implementation of this regulation will affect a number of functions, such as the registration of taxpayers in VAT, returns, certificates, payments, reportıng, tax refunds and the issue of various certificates.
From the operation of the new system there will also be practical changes in relation to VAT, as the new portal will operate, returns and other documents will be submitted electronically and it will be possible to update some of the personal data of taxpayers. Also, those affected will be able to keep a VAT payment history through the system. The VAT return, which will be in the form of questions, will also change form. At the same time, the format of the taxpayer's number for new taxpayers who will not be the same as the company's identity or registration number will also change.
Indirect taxation includes the second stage
According to the planning of the project team, with the completion of the second stage of the Unified Tax Management System, it will concern indirect taxation. That is, it will concern corporate tax, income tax, income tax withheld on earnings, GHS withholding and special defence contribution. It will also apply to capital gains tax, property tax, special taxes (e.g. intellectual property, artists, etc.) temporary taxation of insurance companies and inheritance tax. Better controls are expected to be made from the operation of the second stage, objections will be lodged and appeals will be made. It is estimated that the second stage will be operational in the last quarter of next year. Around the same time period, the third stage of the system will be completed, which will include the betting and casino tax, the special credit institution tax and stamp duty. With the operation of the third stage of the system, risk analysis will be possible, legal issues, tax rulings and specific projects will be included. Tax debts will be better managed and complaints can also be made by taxpayers.
Better communication with taxpayers
The new Tax For All computerized system aims to provide immediate and easy information and communication with taxpayers about tax debts as well as to find the best and fastest compliance methods. It should be noted that the new tax for all mechanical system follows the other computerized systems of the Tax Department. In mid-2020, the Tax Portal and the new electronic services on the platform were put into operation. Tax For All will replace the existing systems of the Tax Department, such as the main indirect and direct taxation systems, TaxisNet, the use of the existing "Tax Portal", the management of Overdue Tax Debts through "Ariadne" as well as various other smaller systems used by the Department of Taxation for its operations. These systems will be withdrawn when all their functions are replaced, and are put into production at Tax For All.
The new computer system of the Department is expected to make the lives of citizens easier. Among other things, it will enhance transparency, have a unified image of taxpayers, simplify, automate and improve procedures and provide more security for taxpayers' data as the data is analyzed and used with maximum analysis and use of data with security, integrity and confidentiality. In addition, there will be an expansion of secure interfaces with other systems, increased electronic services will be provided to taxpayers and there will be an immediate adaptation of the system after any change in legislation and procedures.
At the same time, through the operations of the new computer system, it is expected that the reaction time to latent tax behaviour will be improved through an automated information system for taxpayers and the Department. In addition, the new electronic system will help serve taxpayers to comply with their tax obligations. Tax For All will serve the taxpayer and/or his/her authorized representative through Tax For All online (system portal) by offering a range of services. Among the services are the registration in the tax register, the updating of personal data, the submission of tax returns and supporting documents.
Direct payments will be made
Through the Unified Tax Management System, tax payments will be made by directly disbursing the amount due through the electronic bank. Tax payments can also be made through credit cards. With the new system, taxpayers will be able to apply for the issue of certificates, such as the tax clearance certificate, a certificate of entry in the VAT register and deletion from the relevant register. It is worth noting that all certificates will contain a code with which the authenticity of the document can be recognized. Taxpayers after the new system has been operational will be able to submit requests for a tax refund and objections. In addition, taxpayers will be able to issue a statement of account and payments and have direct communication with the department. Requests and queries can be sent by persons who are already registered in the Tax For All system.
The representatives
Taxpayers may authorise representatives to represent them. Taxpayers will electronically designate the persons who will represent them, who in turn will have to accept the appointment. It should be noted that the existing authorizations that were defined and exist today on Taxisnet will be automatically transferred to Tax For All. With the operation of the Unified Management System, one of the objectives set by the Department of Taxation in relation to the tax compliance of taxpayers will be achieved. The objectives are uniform monitoring through state-of-the-art technology that allows for the improvement of voluntary compliance procedures for taxpayers and actions to ensure that taxpayers meet tax obligations.
