The Inland Revenue Department celebrated a week of Activities from June 27th to July 05th 2015. On Saturday June 27th the Department commenced the week with their tree planting initiative at seven community centers around the island of Nevis.
Starting at the Cox Gazebo, Brown Hill Maisie Bartlette Community Centre, the Prospect Community Centre, Bath Community Centre, Jessups CommunityCentre, Barnes Ghaut and the Franklyn Brown Community Centre.
On Monday the N.I.A hosted an elementary school visit to the department and a puppet show to educate the younger generation about taxes, why taxes are paid and what taxes contribute towards for the development of the country.
Tuesday 30th the department continued the week with their Tax payer appreciation day by handing out treats and allowing taxpayers to answer questions about the department and try at the lucky dip to receive prizes. In the Evening the Department took to the Radio to sit with Mr. Everette “Webbo” Herbert for their Tax Talk Radio Style. Questions were also used to engage listeners that they can win prizes as well.
Wednesday 01st July, different units in the department were in the memorial square Charlestown to disseminate information about specific tax types assigned to them, dubbed IRD Information Drive Tax Booth Competition. Five Units within the Department participated in this competition, and was judged based on a criteria, outlining customer service, presentation of booth, knowledge and understanding of tad and team work. The Units who participated were the Audit Unit, Property Unit, Tax-Payer Services Unit, Assessments & Objections Unit and the Collections Unit.
Thursday 02nd July, The department took to the streets of Charlestown to ask questions chosen by taxpayers from an envelope in our Word on the Street segment. Under our theme “Know Your Taxes Know Your IRD” persons were required to answer questions about Inland Revenue Department and the taxes collected by the department. Once correct, individuals got the opportunity to try at the IRD lucky dip box to win prizes and surprises.
On schedule for that evening was the first ever IRD TAX DEBATE in collaboration with the Nevis Youth Council at the NEPAC Building in Pinney’s Estate. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control this event had to be postponed.
Friday 03rd July the I.R.D held another competition amongst the same five units to display their tax type in an Art Display to appease the public about their specific tax types within the court yard of the R G Solomon Arcade, Charlestown. On this day the IRD also had a Bake Sale which displayed a plethora of goodies for sale in front of the R G Solomon Arcade.
Saturday 04th July the I.R.D hosted our first ever interdepartmental fun sports meet held at the E T W park where we competed against the Customs & Excise Department who was named Team Asycuda World, while the Inland Revenue Department was named Team Be A Responsible Citizen. The events included some fun activities such as; football, 60m sprints, medley relays, 4x50m relays, bun eating, beer drinking lime and spoon and Tug of war competitions among many others. The officers of both Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise expressed they had lots of fun. At the end of the keenly contested meet the Customs and Excise Department were victorious in winning by some 8 points received in the last two races.
Sunday 05th July the department worshipped with the Charlestown Weslyan Holiness Church to culminate the week of activities. As we brought down the curtains with the Minister of Finance Hon. Mr. Vance Amory Premier of Nevis, Hon. Mark Brantley Deputy Premier, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Mr. Colin Dore, The Comptroller of St. Christopher & Nevis Inland Revenue Department Mr. Edward Gift who celebrated with the management and staff at the Dinner and Award Banquet held at the prestigious Nisbet Plantation Beach Club. At this ceremony the winners of the competitions held earlier in the week were announced. The collections unit captured both certificates and prizes for displaying customer service and information dissemination above excellence.
The I.R.D Awards were as follows
Employee Recognition Award for Best Attendance awarded to Mr. Lester Liburd Assistant Comptroller
Employee Recognition Award for Longest Serving Officer at IRD awarded to Corey Maynard Snr Valuation Officer
Employee Recognition Award for 25 Years of Service to NIA awarded to Mrs. Sonia Cozier Tax Officer
Employee Recognition Award for 35 Years of Service to NIA awarded to Mr. Lester Liburd
Employee Recognition Award for Employee of the Year awarded to Ms. Velda Mills Stamp Duty Officer
Fun awards were also done for Best Dressed Male and Best Dressed Female who attended the banquet. The winners of these awards were given prizes from Sherry’s Beauty World and Blessings Boutique, Charlestown Nevis.
Best Dressed Female was awarded to Ms. Velda Mills
Best Dressed Male was awarded to Sydney Hobson
The Inland Revenue Department would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone who assisted, participated and donated towards making this week possible and a success. We continue in our motto of Building our Nation Through Responsible Tax Administration and our plea in encouraging every tax paying individual to BE A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN.
Rhonda J Thompson
Senior Tax Officer
Program Design Planning and Monitoring Unit
Inland Revenue Department