Kudos for PoS tax office

MEMBERS of the public are paying kudos to the tax officers and staff at the Inland Revenue’s tax payers’ assistance office at Queen Street, Port-of-Spain, for their efficiency. Some persons who called Newsday to express their congratulations to the staff, said over the years Government offices have developed an image of gross inefficiency, where service is delivered by staff in “their own sweet time,” and it was a breath of fresh air to see public servants working diligently. In the last week leading up to today’s deadline to file 2004 income tax returns, members of the public have been visiting the Port-of-Spain office for assistance in filing their taxes properly and on time. In the process they said they have been positively stunned with the service.

On Thursday, when Newsday  visited, the small office was filled to capacity. The number of people waiting to be attended to; forced newcomers to grab a number to return later. However yesterday and  on Thursday, the speed at which service was being dispensed, persons were thinking twice about that action, as by the time they returned, their numbers had been called. Performing the  floor manager duties was clerical officer Vashti Maraj-Jaglal, who, with a school teacher’s voice, directed persons quickly and flawlessly to various tax officers. The officers themselves were observed calculating taxes in a brisk manner. Members of the public are now hoping that other Government officers follow the lead.