In response to the Feb 20 community outbreak, nine International Business Chambers are calling on the General Department of Taxation (GDT) to delay the annual tax on Income (TOI) deadline.
A copy of the letter addressed to GDT General-Director Kong Vibol and reviewed by Khmer Times, revealed that signatories including chambers of commerce from the US (AmCham), UK, Australia, Europe, India, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines, requested that the GDT extend its annual Tax on Income deadline past March 31.
The signatories stressed that necessity for suspension of in-person meetings for new taxpayers who wish to register for tax and those currently ongoing audits.
Vibol was unable to immediately provide Khmer Times with a comment on Friday evening.
AmCham President Anthony Galliano told Khmer Times that he was hopeful that the GDT would agree to the request.
He added that the GDT had previously granted extensions under exceptional circumstances, such as in 2016 when the deadline was pushed by one month due to taxpayers amending historical returns under the tax amnesty programme.
“With the nine chambers signing the letter (including IBCC) requesting the deadline for the extension of the TOI, they are hopeful that this appeal is given serious consideration and empathy, as they represent a substantial portion of the business community,” Galliano said.
The letter also urged the GDT to conduct digital meetings between taxpayers or their representatives via messaging platforms such as Telegram or WhatsApp. It also asked that the department conduct essential audit meetings via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
Authorities have urged the following of pandemic-related safety protocols, including maintaining a safe social distance from others and limiting movements.
Following the Feb 20 incident, authorities called on 90 percent of the Kingdom’s workforce to stay at home to help contain the transmission, with Prime Minister Hun Sen saying “the current situation requires more caution than before”.
Hun Sen also called on public institutions to stop activities and 90 percent of employees at private firms to work from home.
“The Feb 20 incident has changed the psychology of most, with much greater emphasis on caution. The Royal Government has encouraged people to stay at home and most companies have allowed their workforce to almost wholly or at least partially stay at home,” Galliano stressed.
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