IRD head Giorgos Poufos yesterday announced a scheme now open to the public whereby taxpayers can pay owed taxes using their credit cards through the JCC Smart online service.
“This service meets the goals of the IRD to better serve the public, reduce inconvenience and cut administrative costs, said Poufos, adding, “it is a pilot programme in its early stages which can be developed further to cover other possibilities”.
The system of paying taxes using credit cards was launched on November 21. However, Poufos pointed out that at it is early days yet, and taxpayers can only pay taxes owed up to €1,000 that are paid before the deadline date.
The chief taxman highlighted this was just the first stage in a process that would see the full gamut of government tax collection services available online.
“It is one step before e-government and the collection of all taxes electronically, regardless of year, penalties, interest or not paying on time,” said Poufos.
According to a finance ministry source, one of the reasons for putting a €1,000 cap on online tax payments is to allow the ministry time to develop the service and test its security before allowing larger sums to be paid.
Poufos said the IRD’s mission was to apply tax laws in an impartial and consistent manner and collect state revenue efficiently and effectively.
“Within this context and the framework of the Lisbon Strategy and Europe 2020 on improving the regulatory framework for better governance, the IRD has progressed with radical changes to the method of collecting unpaid taxes,” he said.
The taxes that can now be paid online, providing they are under €1,000, include various forms of income tax and defence contribution, the specifics of which can be found on the relevant website.
For those wishing to square with the taxman and settle their debts online, go to www.jccsmart.com and click on the IRD logo which produces a list of all government bills that can be paid online.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Stefanos Evripidou
Quelle/Source: Cyprus Mail, 08.12.2011
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