2019/20 Budget Communication Final Budget Communication | Página 20

clear their goods from anywhere they have access to the internet. In particular, the new system
allows for:
more convenient, paperless processing, as clearance will be available at any time;
online payment of Customs Duties;
tight controls that will help to minimize fraud;
less time for processing, as entries will be checked automatically in the new system
and, for low-risk users, spot checks will be done as opposed to 100 percent inspections;
automated statistical dashboards that will allow for more robust record keeping and
accurate Customs statistics;
the full integration of other Government agencies; and
increased transparency and accountability.
Finally, the old, paper-based process of clearing Customs will be a thing of the past,
and a new era of efficiency, timeliness, and enhanced convenience will be ushered in with this new
system.
As of February of this year, approximately 1,600 businesses were on the new
‘Click2Clear’ Electronic Single Window platform. So far, we have appreciated the feedback from
the business community and we are making changes, based on this feedback, to ensure that the
benefits of this system accrue to all stakeholders. The official launch of the system will take place
in September 2019, for all users, commercial and private, across the archipelago.
Furthermore, our push to boost tax compliance will be solidified by the roll out of our
Revenue Enhancement Unit (REU), which will be fully established and operational by July 1 st .
This Unit will be tasked with building capacity and improving overall compliance by conducting
complete tax audits, particularly for VAT and Real Property Tax matters.
As it relates to Real Property Tax, the Unit has already provided a new set of algorithms to
update property values in high valued neighborhoods, and has begun collection services which, to
date, have garnered approximately $15 million in incremental revenue. Once operational, the REU
will include 28 new hires, in total, to fill the positions of senior tax auditors, junior tax auditors,
call center officers, and collection officers. The hiring process is already underway, and is
expected to be completed in time for the July 1 st official start date for all of its operations. In
completing this process, we will ensure that all hires will be adequately trained to operate within
the Bahamian tax environment.
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