An officer from the Hà Nội Department of Taxation’s branch in Thanh Xuân District provides an online tax filing and payment consultation. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Hùng

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội collected over VNĐ93.9 trillion (US$4.1 billion) in taxes during the first half of this year, completing 50.1 per cent of its annual target and 18 per cent higher compared with the same period in 2016, the municipal Tax Department reported yesterday.

Mai Sơn, deputy director general of the department, said inspections were conducted of over 8,155 companies in the capital city in the first six months, equivalent to 44.8 per cent of the target and up 79.6 per cent year-on-year. “The inspections aim to reduce unpaid tax and force businesses to comply with tax laws, thus avoiding losses for the State budget,” Sơn said.

A strong focus on debt collection by Hà Nội’s Tax Department right from the beginning of the year has resulted in the recovery of VNĐ6.4 trillion in arrears, Sơn said, adding that the tax department had become the country’s leading tax unit in debt collection.

Time and costs spent on completing taxation procedures have already been significantly reduced thanks to a series of measures promoting administrative reform, including the application of IT in tax management, he said.

As many as 98 per cent of businesses in the city used online tax filing procedures, and 95 per cent registered for e-tax payments, Sơn said. 

High collection goal

“The department’s tax collection goal set out for 2017 was estimated at VNĐ205 trillion, which was relatively high, up 19 per cent over 2016, posing many challenges for the second half,” Sơn said.

In a bid to meet the target, the tax department will strengthen coordination with the municipal police to detect, prevent and promptly handle tax fraud or evasion, especially the sale or use of illegal tax invoices, he added.

Vice Chairman of Hà Nội People’s Committee, Nguyễn Doãn, Toản said the municipal tax department should undertake dialogue with firms, listening to their difficulties and discussing solutions, thereby ensuring sustainable tax collection, Toản said. — VNS