Tax and customs procedures: Harassing businesses.

Difficulties, inconveniences, complicated procedures, inaccurate tax application… these were some of the suggestions made by businesses during a dialogue between the Ministry of Finance and businesses in the North on October 30, 2013, in Hanoi.

In the future, businesses will be given more favorable conditions in customs procedures.

The roundabout way of handling tax policy.

A survey by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) revealed that tax procedures remain cumbersome, with 37% of businesses stating that implementing customs regulations is relatively difficult.

Held annually, the dialogue between the tax and customs authorities and businesses is always a vibrant forum, reflecting the multifaceted difficulties that businesses are facing. However, many businesses believe that the most important thing is to see what the authorities have actually resolved after each dialogue. Mr. Doan Trong Ly, Director of Aproximex Livestock, Processing and Export Company, suggested that the Ministry of Finance should definitively resolve the issues raised in previous dialogues to reassure businesses. Sharing this view, Mr. Nguyen Canh Tuan, Director of Hoang Tra Company, expressed frustration that the customs' application of different tax codes for dump trucks with a total weight of over 24 and under 45 tons, without retroactive collection or refund for two years (2006-2007), is inconsistent and creates unfairness. The government issued a document in August 2013 requesting the Ministry of Finance to resolve the issue based on the current tax law, ensuring uniformity and equality among businesses, but there has been no response to date. "We have raised this issue in dialogues for the past three years, but it has not been resolved," Mr. Tuan said.

Ms. Hoang Thi Minh Tam, Deputy General Director of Hai Phong Labor Supply and Trade Company, cited an example: "We were entitled to corporate income tax exemptions and reductions under Decree 64/ND-CP on corporate income tax incentives after equitization, but the Hai Phong Tax Department still demanded back taxes from us since 2008. Although the Corporate Finance Department (Ministry of Finance) stated: 'The enterprise is entitled to tax incentives,' the Hai Phong Tax Department and the General Department of Taxation did not accept this."

We will minimize delays.

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has put forward specific recommendations for reforming administrative procedures in the tax sector, such as: reforming the process of receiving and processing tax returns; applying and creating more favorable conditions for taxpayers in completing tax return forms; improving the application of online tax declaration and payment methods, etc.

Consider combining support policies for businesses that are appropriate to the actual situation, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Strengthen training, guidance, and dissemination of information on taxes and tax laws. Deputy Minister of Finance Do Hoang Anh Tuan stated: In the past, the customs and tax sectors have been very proactive in reforming administrative procedures, creating better conditions for businesses to produce and operate in the current difficult context. "With specific recommendations from businesses, we will consider them and respond as soon as possible. In the case of businesses in Hai Phong, we will provide a written response before November 10, 2013," Mr. Tuan said.

To further facilitate customs procedures for businesses, the Ministry of Finance will revise the policy on commodity codes in the near future. In addition, the ministry will also be more proactive in coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to quickly resolve business difficulties.

According to Baocongthuong.