Dear Editor,

I write to express my concern that many stores in Regent Street are not charging VAT on sales and they say to the customer that the VAT is in the price. Further some are not giving a receipt.

Today, January 2, I went to four stores and this was the response;

1. At the first one (name given) I purchased an item, did not receive a receipt and they told me VAT is included in the price. I do not believe this was so.

2. At the second one (name given) I purchased items and was given a receipt, upon checking the receipt, I found no indication that VAT was charged. When I asked about the VAT, the sales clerk said ” I was lucky that I don’t have to pay VAT since the boss “sey that VAT will increase the cost of items in the store”.

3. Dhoray’s on Regent Street -I purchased an item and was offered a receipt and it clearly stated that 16% VAT was charged and its amount. Congratulations to them.

4. At a store (name given) in Hadfield Street I purchased items and was offered a receipt. When I asked about the VAT, I was told that the VAT is included in the price but the receipt did not reflect the VAT charged. How would the government know the amount of VAT payable to the Government.

The GRA will have to carry out a campaign to check on and correct all these anomalies.

Yours faithfully,

Harish Singh