Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CARACAS51
2009-01-15 15:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT MAY RAISE VAT, ALREADY OWES
how-toVZCZCXRO7796 PP RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHGR RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHMT RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC DE RUEHCV #0051 0151512 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 151512Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2420 INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS RUEAHLC/DHS WASHDC RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION RUEABND/DEA HQ WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
UNCLAS CARACAS 000051
SIPDIS
HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
TREASURY FOR MMALLOY
COMMERCE FOR 4431/MAC/WH/JLAO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL ETRD AMGT FMGT VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT MAY RAISE VAT, ALREADY OWES
USG OVER A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS IN REFUNDS
REF: 2008 CARACAS 1384
UNCLAS CARACAS 000051
SIPDIS
HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
TREASURY FOR MMALLOY
COMMERCE FOR 4431/MAC/WH/JLAO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL ETRD AMGT FMGT VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT MAY RAISE VAT, ALREADY OWES
USG OVER A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS IN REFUNDS
REF: 2008 CARACAS 1384
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Press reports indicate that the Venezuelan
government may move to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) in
an attempt to raise revenue as oil prices remain low.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government is currently sitting on
VAT refunds of over USD 300,000 for the US Embassy; Post's
average wait time for refunds has increased by 63 percent in
2008 (reftel). The British have terminated their VAT
reciprocity agreement with Venezuela. The Canadian Embassy
reports it is strongly considering pulling Venezuelan
diplomats' point of sale tax cards and duty free liquor and
tobacco privileges in Canada in response to its year-long
wait for refunds. On the other hand, embassies with warmer
relations with the Venezuelan government report receiving
their refunds in half the time. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) The Venezuelan government continues to examine all
of its revenue-generating options and is reportedly
considering increasing the VAT tax, currently at 9 percent,
in what the Spanish Santander Investments Securities company
believes would be a highly unpopular move. In light of an
anticipated, dramatically reduced revenue stream, the
government has already proven itself willing to take
controversial measures when it cut in half the amount of
dollars it allows Venezuelans traveling overseas in 2009.
The Ministry of Finance has also shown a renewed interest in
refining its system of transferring VAT funds instantaneously
to treasury accounts to try to speed up its cash flow.
3. (SBU) At the same time that the Venezuelan government is
hard at work streamlining the VAT collection process, the
Embassy continues to experience serious delays in receiving
VAT refunds. Delays have gone up by 63 percent from a
historical average (for the period between April
2001-December 2007) of 141 days to a current average delay of
230 days per unpaid submission. By November 2008, Post had
requested over USD 300,000 in refunds for the Embassy and
individual mission members dating back to February 2008 that
have yet to be paid. After an informal survey of diplomatic
community contacts, it seems not all Embassies are
experiencing the same treatment. While the Canadians report
similar delays of approximately a year and the British no
longer offer Venezuelan diplomats in Great Britain VAT
refunds, the Honduran Embassy reports that it is receiving
its refunds within roughly 90 days. Cuban and Argentinean
refunds are averaging six months.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: As bilateral relations deteriorated in
2008, the US Embassy's difficulties with routine
administrative issues in country, such as VAT tax refunds,
have increased (reftel). Embassies with close ties to the US
seem to be having a similar experience while those Chavez
views as more sympathetic to his "revolution" tend to enjoy
more favorable treatment. In a difficult budget year for
Post, the Venezuelan government's large, and growing, VAT
refund tab has become a highly visible example of reciprocity
gone wrong. END COMMENT.
CAULFIELD
SIPDIS
HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
TREASURY FOR MMALLOY
COMMERCE FOR 4431/MAC/WH/JLAO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL ETRD AMGT FMGT VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT MAY RAISE VAT, ALREADY OWES
USG OVER A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS IN REFUNDS
REF: 2008 CARACAS 1384
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Press reports indicate that the Venezuelan
government may move to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) in
an attempt to raise revenue as oil prices remain low.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government is currently sitting on
VAT refunds of over USD 300,000 for the US Embassy; Post's
average wait time for refunds has increased by 63 percent in
2008 (reftel). The British have terminated their VAT
reciprocity agreement with Venezuela. The Canadian Embassy
reports it is strongly considering pulling Venezuelan
diplomats' point of sale tax cards and duty free liquor and
tobacco privileges in Canada in response to its year-long
wait for refunds. On the other hand, embassies with warmer
relations with the Venezuelan government report receiving
their refunds in half the time. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) The Venezuelan government continues to examine all
of its revenue-generating options and is reportedly
considering increasing the VAT tax, currently at 9 percent,
in what the Spanish Santander Investments Securities company
believes would be a highly unpopular move. In light of an
anticipated, dramatically reduced revenue stream, the
government has already proven itself willing to take
controversial measures when it cut in half the amount of
dollars it allows Venezuelans traveling overseas in 2009.
The Ministry of Finance has also shown a renewed interest in
refining its system of transferring VAT funds instantaneously
to treasury accounts to try to speed up its cash flow.
3. (SBU) At the same time that the Venezuelan government is
hard at work streamlining the VAT collection process, the
Embassy continues to experience serious delays in receiving
VAT refunds. Delays have gone up by 63 percent from a
historical average (for the period between April
2001-December 2007) of 141 days to a current average delay of
230 days per unpaid submission. By November 2008, Post had
requested over USD 300,000 in refunds for the Embassy and
individual mission members dating back to February 2008 that
have yet to be paid. After an informal survey of diplomatic
community contacts, it seems not all Embassies are
experiencing the same treatment. While the Canadians report
similar delays of approximately a year and the British no
longer offer Venezuelan diplomats in Great Britain VAT
refunds, the Honduran Embassy reports that it is receiving
its refunds within roughly 90 days. Cuban and Argentinean
refunds are averaging six months.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: As bilateral relations deteriorated in
2008, the US Embassy's difficulties with routine
administrative issues in country, such as VAT tax refunds,
have increased (reftel). Embassies with close ties to the US
seem to be having a similar experience while those Chavez
views as more sympathetic to his "revolution" tend to enjoy
more favorable treatment. In a difficult budget year for
Post, the Venezuelan government's large, and growing, VAT
refund tab has become a highly visible example of reciprocity
gone wrong. END COMMENT.
CAULFIELD