A team of ten Value Added Tax (VAT) inspectors have been dispatched to survey supermarkets and other shops to monitor the prices of goods to ensure compliance with the new 12.5 per cent rate, says Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon.
The ministry is also establishing a hotline for consumers to report on/query any such issues.
The T&T Guardian contacted Gopee-Scoon on concerns that some consumers continued to have as operators settled down with the implementation of the 12.5 per cent VAT level imposed by the Government on a range of items that were formerly zero-rated.
The previous rate of 15 per cent VAT on other goods was also reduced to 12.5 per cent and took effect from February 1.
On Monday when the VAT rate began, there had been some concerns regarding price level for some products. One grocery, for instance, placed the VAT rate on sardines although sardines are on the list of goods that remain zero-rated. Finance Minister Colm Imbert later stressed sardines did not carry VAT.
Yesterday, asked how some groceries in far-flung areas — with foreign or non-English-speaking employees — are handling the VAT implementation, Gopee-Scoon said ten Consumer Affairs officers have been sent out all over Trinidad from yesterday to survey how the VAT rate was being implemented. She said officers have not been sent to Tobago yet.
“They will be looking at the price changes being made (by operators) and hearing what consumers have to say on the spot. The Consumer Affairs Division has a mechanism in place which includes the monitoring of prices in supermarkets throughout T&T.
“This exercise, relating to the implementation of the new VAT regime, began during the period November 2015– January 2016 and will continue during this month,” she said. Gopee-Scoon suggested the public check the list of VAT-rated items and zero-rated items which are published on the ministry’s website.
She said the ministry had only received about two complaints on the VAT situation so far but was organising the hotline to deal with any issues that might arise. The Ministry’s Consumer Affairs Division subsequently stated its 800-4277 number would be used for that. The hotline will be answered between 8 am to 4 pm between Monday to Friday.
Alternatively, outside of these hours, consumers can forward queries, via email, to 4VAT2016@gmail.com
Use consumer power—advise NGOs
Meanwhile, the Network of NGOs yesterday announced release of its 2016 consumer journal focusing on consumer protection, assisting consumers on getting their money’s worth and cost-effective purchasing in the current period of structural adjustment.
Issues included “The Consumer and the Economy”; “Consumer Protection Policy”; “Consumer Rights and Responsibility”; making consumer complaints; tips on economical grocery shopping; cost comparison strategies; planning shopping; budgeting; how to save money on bills and meals planning.
Network head Hazel Browne said the theme was relevant as T&T was experiencing serious economic challenges “which will require that we all become more aware of our power as consumers.
“The time is now to highlight how we can improve household management, make more informed consumer choices and act together as consumers in our own interest.”
The Journal is available from the organisation’s office, the Professional Centre, 11-13 Fitzblackman Drive, Woodbrook. For further information, call 627 4807.