Koim gets IRC top post

By REBECCA KUKU - The National

SAM Koim has been appointed Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) acting commissioner-general.
The former chairman of the anti-corruption team Task Force Sweep said he had two messages for companies and individuals.
“To those who are genuinely struggling to pay their taxes, the commission will find ways to help you meet your obligations.
“To the tax-dodgers, we’ll find you,” Koim said.
Treasury Minister Sam Basil announced the appointment at a press conference in Port Moresby yesterday.
He said the National Executive Council’s decision had been approved by Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae.
“The IRC is the premier tax collecting body and with Koim as the acting commissioner, the Government hopes to see an increase in its productivity,” Basil said.
Koim thanked the Government for his appointment and said that he would be fair and equitable but “brutal in the enforcement of our tax laws.”
“To those who employ convoluted and pernicious strategies to escape your tax obligations, we will find you and you will face penalties under our tax laws. That extends to tax advisers,” Koim said.
“To those who deceitfully evade paying tax, let me warn you that tax evasion is not a victimless crime.
“It is not simply a matter of failing to pay one’s debt to State.
“It is theft, and tax evaders are thieves,” he said.
Koim said that those who systematically conspired to defraud the public revenue would be criminally prosecuted.
“Tax agents and advisers will be regarded as co-conspirators and prosecuted.
“I will be initiating corporate criminal prosecutions for those corporations that defraud the State of monies that are due to the State in tax.
“I intend to fill the court rooms with tax fraudsters in the coming months.
“I have been given the full mandate of the Government and all powers enabling me by law to mobilise all the resources and technical expertise needed to achieve this mission,” he said.
Koim also said that he was looking forward to working with the commissioners and staff of IRC and admitted that he was not there as a one-size fit all solution to the challenges in IRC.
“I am not here to celebrate mediocrity either.
“I am here with a burning sense of urgency to empower you for optimal performance.
“You have the skills and technical expertise to do the job.
“I am new to this organisation but I am not new to compliance.
“I am hoping that the fire burning in me will burn within you and not beneath you,” he said.
“Let us all take back what has been stolen from us. Let us take back PNG.”

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/koim-gets-irc-top-post/