Nghe An: Focusing efforts on solutions for revenue collection in 2020
(Baonghean) - 2020 is the final year of the 2016-2020 five-year socio-economic development plan, the fourth year of implementing the 2015 State Budget Law, and the period of state budget stabilization for the 2017-2020 period. Therefore, it is of great importance in achieving the socio-economic development goals and tasks of the entire period. A reporter from Baonghean newspaper interviewed Mr. Trinh Thanh Hai, Director of the Nghe An Tax Department, about solutions for revenue collection in the coming period.
PV:Sir, could you please tell us about the revenue collection results for Nghe An province in 2019?
Mr. Trinh Thanh Hai:In 2019, the province's total budget revenue reached VND 16,354.8 billion, achieving 135% of the provincial People's Council's projected target and increasing by 16.2% compared to the same period in 2018. Of this, domestic revenue reached VND 14,693 billion, achieving 124.2% of the provincial People's Council's projected target and increasing by 17.2% compared to the same period in 2018; revenue from import and export activities reached VND 1,705 billion, achieving 100.3% of the provincial People's Council's projected target and increasing by 8.6% compared to the same period in 2018.
Total state budget revenue in the province in 2019 exceeded the provincial People's Council's projected target and increased compared to the same period in 2018. Regarding budget revenue in the districts, all 21/21 districts, cities, and towns completed and exceeded the provincial People's Council's projected targets.
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| Leaders of the Nghe An Tax Department held a professional dialogue with businesses on the use of electronic invoices. Photo: Lam Tung. |
For the Nghe An Tax Department, many tax categories have met their targets: Revenue from the non-state-owned enterprise sector reached VND 4,759 billion, equivalent to 106% of the target; revenue from local state-owned enterprises reached VND 126 billion, equivalent to 101% of the target; personal income tax reached VND 592 billion, equivalent to 117% of the target, an increase of 15% compared to the same period; environmental protection tax reached VND 1,955 billion. In addition, other items such as registration fees, fees and charges, non-agricultural land use tax, land rent, etc., all met or exceeded targets.
Some revenue items did not meet the targets, such as revenue from central state-owned enterprises, revenue from the foreign-invested enterprise sector, and revenue from lottery sales. It can be said that 2019 was the most comprehensive year for the Nghe An Tax Department in terms of budget revenue collection. This success can be attributed to many comprehensive and decisive solutions, including the attention and guidance from higher authorities.
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| Chart of provincial budget revenue in 2019. Graphic: Lam Tung |
PV:It is known that tax arrears in 2019 decreased compared to the previous year. Could you elaborate on this matter?
The Tax Department has fully implemented measures and operational procedures regarding debt management and tax debt enforcement, including making phone calls, sending text messages, and emails to business owners to request payment of outstanding taxes. Specifically: 47,936 tax debt notices have been issued, 12,121 payments have been deducted from bank accounts, 582 invoices have been seized from businesses, 325 businesses have had to declare assets, and 44 business licenses have been revoked.
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| The Vinh City Tax Department enforces tax debt collection against business households at Vinh Market. Photo: Vo Huyen. |
Thanks to decisive measures, by December 31, 2019, the outstanding tax debt was 1,027 billion VND, 59 billion VND lower than the tax debt as of December 31, 2018, and below the tax debt target of 1,076 billion VND set by the General Department of Taxation. 2019 was the first year that the Nghe An Tax Department met its tax debt collection target set by the General Department of Taxation, and also the first year in many years that the tax debt decreased compared to previous years. Furthermore, it was the year with the lowest tax debt ratio to total state budget revenue.
PV:To achieve the 2020 budget revenue target, what key solutions, in your opinion, should be prioritized?
Mr. Trinh Thanh Hai:2020 was the final year of the 2016-2020 five-year socio-economic development plan, the fourth year of implementing the 2015 State Budget Law, and the period of state budget stabilization for the 2017-2020 period. Therefore, it was of great importance in achieving the socio-economic development goals and tasks for the entire 2016-2020 period.
To achieve the 2020 targets amidst the context of large enterprises not yet investing in industrial zones, the decline in the beer and liquor industry, the lack of tax revenue, and the unsustainable nature of many revenue sources, the Tax Department has identified the following solutions: Regularly monitor revenue collection trends, accurately identify revenue sources and the number of taxpayers in the area, assess, analyze, and forecast revenue sources, and provide timely guidance and encouragement.
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| Professional training at the Nghe An Provincial Tax Department. Photo: Lam Tung |
The Provincial People's Committee's advisory body issues directives urging local departments and agencies to coordinate with the Tax authorities on budget revenue collection, and signs cooperation agreements with district-level governments on tax collection in each locality.
Strengthen efforts to combat tax evasion, decisively implement established tax evasion prevention programs in areas such as real estate, mineral exploitation, food and beverage, motorcycles, gasoline, and research and implement other tax evasion prevention programs…
Implement comprehensive and decisive measures for tax debt collection and enforcement, and closely monitor changes in outstanding debts. In addition, provide timely support for tax awareness campaigns and assistance, accelerate tax administration reforms, contribute to improving the business environment, and encourage businesses to conduct electronic transactions with tax authorities.
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| Instructions for businesses on filing tax returns at the Nghe An Tax Department. Photo: Lam Tung |
PV:Thank you, sir!

Nghe An Tax Department enhances skills in disseminating information and supporting taxpayers.
(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of November 23rd in Cua Lo town, the Nghe An Tax Department organized a training course to improve professional skills and communication skills to support taxpayers for leaders of the Sub-departments and the Taxpayer Support Teams of the Sub-departments in the province.







