The Finance Ministry plans to implement an electronic interlink system to integrate import and export information between the Customs Department and the Revenue Department, aiming to facilitate doing business and eliminate tax evasion.
The system will help the two departments with information exchange via an electronic platform, differentiating between businesses that pay their taxes and tax evaders, said Prasong Poontaneat, permanent secretary for finance.
Customs checkpoints average 20,000 containers daily, said Mr Prasong.
The Finance Ministry aims to connect its information with the Comptroller-General's Department, the Excise Department, the Treasury Department, the Commerce Ministry's Business Development Department, and the Revenue Department because the Revenue Department is equipped with a huge IT system, he said.
Ekniti Nitithanprapas, director-general of the Revenue Department, said the department will be a recipient of information from the Customs Department on artificial exports, which is requesting a value-added tax refund without actually exporting anything, as well as merchandise exports that are lower than the specified amount.
Such an interlink system would enhance Thailand's competitiveness, generating greater revenue for the state, said Mr Ekniti.
Of the tax revenue collected by the Customs Department, 19% is generated from the Customs Department, while 81% is tax revenue the Customs Department collects on behalf of other state agencies. Over 60% is collected on behalf of the Revenue Department, said Kulit Sombatsiri, director-general of the Customs Department.
The department is revising a customs law regarding tax evasion, whereby offenders will be prosecuted by the Central Tax Court without settlement at the customs level, said Mr Kulit.
