The taxman comes a calling
Inland Revenue Board launches operation to recover RM22.26 mln in unpaid taxes in the state
KUCHING: The State Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) yesterday launched the two- day Ops Kutip for this year, to collect RM22.26 million in outstanding tax.
State LHDN director Ramlot Keli, who flagged off the operation at the LHDN Academy here, said the amount had been in arrears for less than two years and involved 471 cases across the state – 61 being companies owing RM10.43 million and 410 other establishments with tax arrears of RM11.83 million.
The operation involves 63 officers who are divided into 21 groups and covers Kuching city centre, Petra Jaya, Pending, Tabuan Jaya, BDC, Batu Kawa, 7th Mi le, Kota Samarahan, Penrissen, Padawan, Siburan, Serian, Sri Aman, Engkilili, Betong and Saratok.
Taxpayers who have received notice about their outstanding tax are reminded to comply and pay as soon as possible either through cheque or bank draft, as cash payment to any officer is prohibited. The officers involved in Ops Kutip wear official LHDN vests and identification cards for easy recognition.
Meanwhile, LHDN Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Sabin Samitah, who launched the national-level Ops Kutip in Kota Kinabalu, said total outstanding tax of less than two years old in the whole country amounted to RM326.192 million involving 3,838 cases.
“LHDN Malaysia is targeting to collect 90 per cent or RM293.573 mi l l ion out of the total by December this year. For this twoday operation, we aim to collect five per cent or RM16.13 million of the outstanding amount,” he said.
Speaking to the media after launching the operations, Sabin said the entire operation involved 592 officers from 13 offices.
“This operation is not only to collect the arrears but also to create awareness among the taxpayers of their responsibility to keep records and to report their income correctly. They are also advised to pay their taxes within the time frame set,” he said.
LHDN, he added, has tightened its instalment payment method but companies and individual tax payers who have financial problems can still request to pay in instalment; however, there is no guarantee it will be considered.
“This two- day operation will see LHDN officers going to work or business premises of those identi fied and to col lect the arrears,” he said.
In Sabah, there are 361 cases involving arrears of RM17.033 mi l lion, out of which 80 are companies.