Brave new world of taxes for Cubans

Cuba attempts to promote a tax payment culture among its citizens

HAVANA, Cuba, Thursday October 13, 2011 – First Cuba cut its high wages bill by divesting its payroll of thousands of state workers, now it is trying to ensure that its newly privatised workforce pays its fair share of taxes.

According to authorities, the Cuban government is now seeking to promote a “culture of tax payment” through a new communication strategy being implemented by the National Tax Administration Office (ONAT).

This new strategy also includes direct assistance to tax payers, which, explained state newspaper Granma, offers training for tax payers and also for ONAT personnel; as well as for other institutions and organizations that work together with it, and for bodies from the Central Administration of the State linked to specific tax systems, among others.

According to Granma, the promotion of culture on taxes has been an essential goal since the start of an ongoing process to update the Cuban economic model.

The project developed by ONAT also includes the creation of a website, developed jointly with Havana’s University of Computing Sciences, which should be operational next year, with the purpose of facilitating interaction and an improved flow of communication between ONAT and tax payers.

The newspaper added that the project also entails the use of technological platforms such as cell phones for sending information messages on tax issues.

The director of fiscal services of ONAT told Granma that this entity has also designed a project that is under analysis by the Central Bank of Cuba to put into practice new ways for tax payment. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)