Turning reform into reality is the main task of the Tax sector.

Comprehensive view of the conference. Picture: Thùy Linh.

Tax reform has been recorgnized

Representative of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Dau Anh Tuan says, the efforts of the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Taxation on the implemention to reform and simplify policies, administrative procedures on taxes, amend business process and apply IT in supporting enterprises in tax declaration and electronic tax payment over 3 years (2014-2016) have brought many practical benefits, saved time for enterprises and have been reorgnized and highly appriciated by the business community. The overall result of the enterprise satisfaction survey in 2016 is 75%, with all index components increased.

Report on the results of the implementation of the Government's Resolution No. 19/NQ-CP contributing to improve the business environment, enhance national competitiveness in the tax sector in 2014, 2015 and 2016, Deputy Director General General Directorate of Taxation Phi Van Tuan said that the General Department of Taxation has actively reviewed, studied and consulted the assessment of several international organizations (the World Bank, International Finance Corporation) about the time of tax declaration and payment by Vietnamese enterprises to determine the difference between Vietnam and the average of the 6 ASEAN countries at each stage (on the frequency of declaration and payment of taxes, on documents, contents of tax declaration; on methods of declaration and payment). On that basis to propose many solutions to reform tax administrative procedures, reduce time and procedures for people and enterprises.

Mr. Phi Van Tuan also said that in 2017 and the orientation to 2020, with the aim of further improving the business environment, contributing to improve national competitiveness, in the field of tax it should be implemented synchronously, comprehensively administrative reform solutions that focus on: continue to support and remove difficulties for production and business; promote tax reform administrative procedures, reduce the process of handling, modernization and application of IT in State management; shorten time of administrative procedures, ensure transparency and improve the responsibility of the State administrative agencies in accordance with international practice. This goal has been specified by the General Department of Taxation in 8 groups of tasks, 32 solutions and 80 specific works related to policy institutions, professional processes, the implementation of e-government, organization and administrative procedures.

At the conference, leaders of local tax departments such as Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nghe An, Da Nang, and Can Tho were consistent with the report on the implemention of Resolution No. 19/NQ-CP over the years, and the orientation to 2020 of the leader of the General Department of Taxation. At the same time, representatives of local tax departments also gave some recommendations such as: tax registration, tax declaration and payment; return of value added tax and the work of inspection.

Require to turn reform into reality

Speaking at the conference, Minister of Finace Dinh Tien Dung said, from the beginning of 2014 as the first Resolution No. 19/NQ-CP was issued, the financial sector has made efforts continuously to reform administrative procedures, build institutions and solutions for the implementation of Government’s requirements. These achievements have been recognized by the Government and social community through the monitoring results of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front and the VCCI satisfaction report. Realizing the targets set in Resolution 19-2017/NQ-CP for the Tax sector is one of the leading tasks of the whole Finance sector. From now, the reform of administrative procedures should be identified as a main task.

The Minister directed: “Firstly, it is a need for further discipline in the sector. The legal system may not be perfect but discipline must be serious. Secondly, it must strengthen the organizational apparatus in the context of opening the doors of integration and tax management reform for enterprises and people to monitor. Thirdly, continue to review and simplify administrative procedures, shorten the current procedures to the minimum. Fourthly, research to carry out the recommendations of the World Bank, VCCI on inspection and return of tax. Fifthly, build a tax database connected with other related agencies.

“This year’s task of the tax sector is quite heavy with increasingly specific targets, thus, the determination must be clearer and higher than before. Reforms which requires to be turned into reality are really important. The tax sector must consider it as a main political task to organize, implement and collaborate rhythmically to create a new change”, said by Minister Dinh Tien Dung.