VAT Payments Boost Provincial Coffers

PHUKET TOWN: Provincial revenue officials reported that tax collections were up 22 percent during the first month of the new fiscal year compared to October 1997. From October 1, 1998 through October 31, 1998, the revenue department collected a total of 166,946,000 baht, up more than 30.7 million baht from the same period last year. Income tax collection rose 47 percent to 59 million baht. Value-added tax (VAT) payments were up 16 percent year-on-year. VAT payments, the single largest tax source for the department, totaled 73.3 million baht for the month, an increase of 10.3 million baht over the same period a year ago. Tax collections from juristic entities were up 6.2 million baht over October 1997, the revenue report said.