TT Revenue Authority Can Move Forward

The Government can continue with the operationalisation of the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA). This, as the Court of Appeal refused to overturn a judge’s decision to deny an injunction to delay the Government’s plan to introduce the TTRA next month. The judgment was delivered on Tuesday. It dismissed the appeal which was brought by the Public Services Association (PSA) through one of their members, Terrisa Dhoray. Ms. Dhoray, who is a Customs officer, said certain segments of the legislation are unconstitutional -as it will interfere with the terms and conditions of employment of public servants currently assigned to the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) and Customs and Excise Division (CED). The lawsuit focused on Section 18 of the legislation that was proclaimed by President Christine Kangaloo on April 24th. Section 18 allows members of the Public Service the option of joining the TTRA. The Act establishes the TTRA to replace the Board of Inland Revenue and the Customs and Excise Division.