IRC setting up tax crime prosecution taskforce for tax fraudsters

THE Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) will set up a tax crime prosecution taskforce to deal with tax fraudsters and those in the “black economy”.
Commissioner-general Sam Koim said during the launching of the commission’s 2021 annual work plan in Port Moresby yesterday that a tax crime prosecution was badly needed. “In the history of this organisation, there has never been a tax crime prosecution done,” he said.
“So people have been stealing money that they are supposed to pay – not only their taxes, but taxes they withhold on behalf of other taxpayers such as employers withholding taxes belonging to their employees, that they were supposed to wire to us but divert it to their own expenses.
“We will be initiating those prosecutions.
“We have profiled a number of cases.
“When I say prosecution, it means putting people behind bars.
“The team will also deal with those in the black economy – people and businesses who operate outside the radar of the law enforcement and tax authorities.
“These are people and businesses who are taking advantage and creating an uneven playing field for everyone.
“There are businesses that are genuine and paying their taxes and making their fair share of the profits within the profit margin that they anticipate.
“But there are those not paying taxes and making a lot of money,” he said.
“They are the ones we would like to prosecute so that they also pay their fair share of taxes and comply with the laws of the country.”