Small traders write applications for tax exemption and reduction, what do Vinh City Tax Department and market managers say?

Since the end of Tet, the business of Vinh market traders has stagnated due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, especially since April 1, when social distancing had to be implemented according to Directive 16 of the Prime Minister.

Fabric traders at Vinh market petitioned the Vinh market management board about their desire to have taxes and fees exempted and reduced during the epidemic season. Photo: Quang An

Hundreds of traders at Vinh market have signed joint petitions to the Vinh market management board and competent authorities requesting consideration of support and exemption of taxes and fees to reduce difficulties for people during the epidemic season.

The traders’ petitions clearly stated the difficult business situation since the beginning of 2020, and expressed their wish to be exempted from taxes and fees such as market fees, kiosk rental, electricity and water bills, security fees, renovation fees, etc. in the context of the complicated pandemic, many stalls have closed. At the end of the petition, there are the signatures of all traders.

Petitions with collective signatures of traders sent to Vinh Market Management Board. Photo: Quang An

Discussing this issue, Mr. Nguyen Huu Dac - Head of Vinh Market Management Board said: From March until now, there have been dozens of collective petitions from traders sent to Vinh Market Management Board regarding the above issues. However, whether or not to exempt or reduce fees depends on the calculations and arrangements of the levels, departments and branches, we do not have the authority to decide on this issue... We have petitioned the Vinh City People's Committee and relevant agencies to consider for traders. Vinh Market Management Board committed to extending the deadline for paying fees for people during the epidemic season.

Kiosks at Vinh market are closed during the epidemic season. Photo: Quang An

According to the market business performance report in the first quarter of Vinh Market Management Board, the service fee collection in the first quarter only reached 1.6/3.9 billion VND, only 40% of the plan, most of the time when collecting fees, the traders "delayed" the debt, this is one of the years with the lowest fee collection rate of the market.

The situation at other markets in Vinh City is similar. At Quan Lau Market, Truong Thi Ward, although no petition has been sent to the Market Management Team, many traders have recently come to the Market Management Team to express their wishes to be exempted from fees.

Mr. Duong Xuan Dat, Head of the Quan Lau Market Management Team, said: Quan Lau Market currently has about 200 kiosks still in operation, a large number of which have closed or temporarily stopped operating before Directive 16 was issued due to sluggish sales. We have grasped the spirit and have made a proposal to the People's Committee of Truong Thi Ward to find a solution for the traders.

Quan Lau Market located in the center of Vinh City is deserted and quiet during the epidemic season. Photo: Quang An

In other markets such as Ga market, Ben Thuy market, Hung Dung market, etc., there are many traders who have requested to reduce taxes and fees. However, this is an issue that cannot be resolved immediately, so the market management boards have accepted, recorded and will make recommendations to the competent authorities. For traders, in addition to the desire to reduce taxes and fees, they are hoping that in the coming time, the epidemic will be controlled so that they can stabilize their business again and minimize losses.

Regarding Vinh City Tax Department, Mr. Phan Van Viet - Head of the Department said: Based on the reality, Vinh City Tax Department will consider and resolve according to the provisions of law.