Certificate of Merit in Sales Tax Assessment:

Upon appointment as Sales Tax Inspector under Regional Revenue and Customs Office, Thimphu with effect from 1^st July, 2008, I feel, I had the most of the opportunities unlike some of my friends from the same training cohort. I was young and full of energy and enthusiasm to learn and explore more each day. I had the opportunity to lead a team to carry out sales tax assessment of sales tax collecting agents (STCAs) under Thimphu region when most of the senior officers were on study leave. Being single was yet another advantage and opportunity for me as I could go on assessment where ever the office wants to send as I did not had any family obligations unlike my other colleagues in the office.

Since I was appointed under Sales Tax Section, unlike other colleagues, I had the opportunity to work with other sections like Direct Tax Administration, Customs and Excise Section and Revenue and Auditing Sections as well. It was mostly during any field assessment or inspection where people refrain from going to and also most of the colleagues were female. I had this opportunity to go out in the field like tobacco and illicit liquor inspection with customs official, revenue auditing of Punatshangchu Hydro Project with revenue and auditing team and business income tax collection for lump sum basis with team from direct tax administration.

During my last six years in the department I have had the opportunity to attain numerous training abroad and within the country specially to enhance the learnings of tax auditing. I would also like to share that the first sales tax assessment/auditing of  hotel Taj Tashi was assessed by my team in the year 2010. With first-hand experience on varieties of diverse business units in the country, I also had the opportunity to be a team of assessing one of the FDI hospitality industry in Bhutan. The result from this assessment was extra ordinary compared to other assessments carried out earlier as there was huge findings of additional sales tax amounting in millions. The team was led by my section head Mr. Sherab Chogyal (Assisstant Collecter then) from whom I learned many skills required to carry out auditing in complex high end hospitality business units.

It was then the recognition of “Certificate of Merit” from the department was awarded by the Regional Director to the team on 16^th December 2011 for exemplary tax assessment carried out without fear and being bias.

My Journey to Royal Thimphu College:

Royal Thimphu College was not my first choice of list to go for my higher studies though I had longed for so long for continuing my higher studies after completing my Diploma course from Royal Institute of Management in 2008. The urge to complete my higher studies was there in me which always made me go for more in learning. After completing three years of my service I have applied for my continuous studies but was rejected as the new rules from the Royal Civil Service stated that one can go for higher studies after completing 5 years of service.

After completing my fifth year of service in June 2013, I have intended to apply for continuing of my studies but the rules brought yet another changes of having to study within Bhutan if we (civil servants) want to have the benefit of getting full salary unlike our seniors who could go to India after three years with full salary package. So I did not apply in 2013 but applied in 2014 through registration with Royal University of Bhutan and got selected to Sherubtse College in Trashigang to pursue studies of bachelor in English and Dzongkha.

There was again a twist in the rules stating the relevance of our course of study should match with the field of our professional career. Here since the course I got selected do not match the relevancy of my profession in working under the Department of Revenue and Customs, I had no option then to apply for Royal Thimphu College to pursue bachelor of commerce and get the benefit of full salary package for whole three years period making it relevant to my professional career.

Though it came at the end but I feel it was blessing in disguise for me as I could pursue my higher studies in the field of my interest which is also relevant to my organization. At the same time I could be here in Thimphu only with my families unlike if I had went to Sherubtse or India leaving away my families in Thimphu. I personally feel that Royal Thimphu College is one of the best place in Bhutan to pursue ones interest in learning through diverse learning culture with diverse faculties.

The Journey I had (2007-2014):

In these seven and half years, I have witnessed the history unfold that will go in the anal of world history to be read by generations to come. I have witnessed the change in myself and the world. I was immature then and wondered what lied ahead. I started my career as an on job trainee with full of enthusiasm and excitement of being an independent which I had longed for so long.

The following year (2008) Bhutan got special attention to the world as it marked the centenary celebration for reign of monarchy, 100 years (17^th December, 1907 till 17^th December, 2008) followed with the crowning of our fifth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on 1^st November, 2008 and establishment of constitutional democracy with first democratically elected government. India being the close neighbour, I still remember the 9/11 (September 11) attack on Mumbai which the country still mourns over the lost of many innocent souls. Likewise back in my office, we had our new Director then.

A day before Blessed Rainy Day, 21^st September, 2009 Bhutan experienced one of the worst earthquake at 6.1 magnitude taking seven innocent souls. The year was bit of unfair to me as well as I had lost one of my closet soul and not to forget, Michael Jackson also left us the same year trying hard to heal the world. The world also witnessed Tiger Wood confessed all his faults publicly. However the year was a great celebration for Roger Federer as he had his twin daughters born.

2010 was special as SAARC marked and observed its 25th anniversary in Bhutan where I also turned 25 then. The same year I got an opportunity to attend my first training abroad in India followed by militia training at MTC in Wangdue phodrang. I am born in this same place when my father served in army for 13 years. It was a waving flag with waka-waka moment as the globe welcomed the FIFA World Cup in South Africa where Paul the Octopus foretold Spain's win against the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup Final.

11/11 – March 11^th 2011 Japan experienced the worst earthquake of 9 magnitudes with tsunami leaving hundreds of people homeless. It then followed with season of love when Prince William got married in April followed by our beloved King getting married to our beautiful Gyaltsuen in October. The same year I owned a car which I drove only for about a year and sold upon realizing it was not necessary instead a huge liability.

Come 21^st December, 2012 the world is going to end was what echoed to every nook and corner of the world. The movie 2012 further confused and lots of people were anxious. During this year I got to attend ITEC program for 8 weeks in New Delhi, India living me with lifetime memories enduring deep inside. I met my better half the same year sending us in relation for more than one and half year before tying our knot for lifetime.

I felt proud to get my first promotion in 2013 after the entry into civil service further broadening my responsibilities to serve my king, country and countrymen more competently and conscientiously.  I had then lots of memories to take along and made me wiser than what I was in 2007. We had our second democratically elected government formed which gave us lots of hope and aspirations to work harder than before to have self-reliant economy.

2014 left me with nostalgic moments as I was starting a new way of life with my better half officially. My department has a new director as well who was my regional director then prior to his current post. The year saw lots my office colleague getting transferred to different regional offices under the same department as well as to a new organization.

The year brought us more glamour to the world as the new Prime Minister of Republic of India His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi chose to visit Bhutan as the first nation abroad upon assuming the office as his natural choice. Finally the time came for me to have my official farewell dinner along with two other colleagues who are also on study leave w.e.f. 1^st August, 2014 until 31^st July, 2017. Till then I urged myself to work harder to achieve good education in order to serve my king, country and countrymen protecting the security and sovereignty of the country.

Tashi Delek.    

Training on Proficiency in Business Communication & Life Skills and Internet Technology:

7th May 2012 till 29th June 2012

New Delhi, India

The longest ever training I attended with technical assistance from India Embassy in Bhutan through ITEC programs vide official procedures applied though Royal Civil Service Commission in the month of April 2012. I have applied for the course along with one of my colleague from the same office for training on Proficiency in Business Communication & Life Skills and Internet Technology with assistance on application procedures from Mr. Damcho (Revene Officer).

Upon the receiving of call from the office of Indian Embassy in Thimphu on being selected for the training applied for, I was extremely happy to have been selected and fulfilling the dream to go abroad for trainings. The training came as an opportunity to enhance and build on my personal capacity development which I had always longed for. I along with my friend Mr. Ugyen Thinley flew to New Delhi on 5^th May at 5.15 pm from Paro international airport.

We were the first participants to reach the hotels among the other 20 colleagues from different countries like; Laos, Suriname, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Malaysia and Syria. We had participants as old as 45 from Mongolia and Uzbekistan and the youngest in the group was 26 years. The class was taken in combination of two different course which were for 8 and 12 weeks. I was among the participants for 8 weeks.

The course covered Business English and its usage, Effective Communication Strategies, Personality Enhancement, Business Writing Skills, Telephone Etiquettes, Listening and Understanding skills among many. The class was very interactive having diverse range of participants with various class activities. It was both formal and informal class learnings with highly qualified faculties at CMC Academy. We were kept at hotel Parkland at Nehru place, drive of 30 to 45 minutes from the institute.

During these period we were also taken on tour within and outside New Delhi to Jaipur and Agra where we visited some of the most historical places like Amber Fort in Jaipur, Jantar Mantar, Taj Mahal, Red ford, Lotus Temple from many. Though it was tough to adjust with the weather at the initial with maximum of 50 degree Celsius, the time spent in New Delhi is worth remembering as it taught me many life skills and values in life with diverse friends from across the world with whom I still share my moments and keep in touch. The hardest part was to bid goodbye to my dear friends which left me disturbed for quite some even when I was back to Bhutan. I still remember my friend from Syria who can after our car from the hotel about 100 to 150 meters. The best part is that I enjoyed every moments with my friends and it’s like as if it was just yesterday though it’s already 5 years now. The impact has been immense that I take forward the good learnings which makes me better every day.

I always told my friends that good days are yet to come and consoled myself saying that we are living at different places but in one globe working at different places for common goal in life to achieve happiness and create a better place to live on as I really missed my friends from New Delhi. Time is what heals everything irrespective of what we do or who we are and we come back to normal life. 

Accounting Analysis: Revenue Accounting & Auditing:

Having undergone training at Institute of Management Studies (IMS) in 2012 on Revenue Accounting & Auditing along with colleagues from different regional office in Bhutan, I am more confident to understand how auditing works for various organizations. The training was conducted by the ministry of finance to enhance the capacity building of existing and new recruits in the various departments and equip with technical and intellectual skills required for standard auditing norms.

The training covered on basic aspects of auditing and its implications. Auditing provides assurance on the accuracy of management of funds and its results thereof. The control system will comprise of various aspects depending from organization to its nature of operation. The fundamental of this practice includes policies, procedures and practices in order to promote efficiency of operation, protection of assets, accuracy and reliability of accounting records and compliance with the mission and vision of the organization in achieving its ultimate goal.

Auditing requires three level of control such as Preventive, Detection and Corrective controls to ensure potential exposure to risk. Most of the firm ends with corrective measure of control to overcome what already happened with ignorance on any preventive control measures at the initials. The corrective measure of control is also important but more importantly, proper installation of preventive and detective measures will ensure lesser corrective measures at the end with unnecessary loss for the organization.

Risk management, control and evaluation on regular time interval, adopting standard norms of practice in the organization were also part of training to ensure and build good auditing skills to implement in the organization. It was then followed with discussion on advantages of having proper auditing system which will provide guidance with instruction, eliminate work of repetition and have proper records of all transaction making it easier to have audit and assessment whenever required.

The closing of the training came with awarding of certificate of participation from the Director of Institute of Management Studies.

All banks in Bhutan lowers its rate of interest on loans:

Upon the request from the government to the central bank of Bhutan, Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) to lower the interest rates on all its loans, all the banks in the country have now reduced the interest rates with Bank of Bhutan as the first bank to initiate the move. The request from the government was on the consideration of several proposals from the individuals and businesses in the country to lower the interest rates on loans as the rates offered by the banks in Bhutan was relatively higher in the region with declaration of huge profits and salary bonus as reported by the Bhutan Broadcasting Service (2016). The other reason for request on lowering the interest rates on loan was due to huge difference in the saving and borrowing where saving could fetch from 5-8 % but the borrowing rates ranges from 12% onward.
The lowering of interest rate is one form of incentives for the people the government have taken with monetary expansionary tool which will definitely benefit the economy in the short run. This was possible with introduction of Minimum Lending Rate (MLR) at 6.75% from previous rate of 11% by the central bank where banks had no option than to charge higher interest rates earlier. The decrease in the interest rate is targeted to result in increased growth in sector like agriculture and cottage industries, social sectors like homeownerships and creating jobs with import substitutions (Lamzang, 2016).
At individual level, the decrease in the interest rate should encourage young entrepreneurs and business house to spend the money more productively than spending on importing of goods. The functioning of the whole economy at the end of the day boils down to individual activity and spending habits. It is easier to point the fingers to the government but harder to accept our own actions that actually lead to imbalance of economy. Our human desires and wants should always restrict to the lesser limit of spending on unnecessary things and focus more on what is actually required than what we all want. The decrease in the interest rate should once again be put into best practice enabling more vibrant economy and lesser complications therefrom.

References:

Bhutan Broadcasting Service. (2016, May 17). www.bbs.bt.

Lamzang, T. (2016, September 24). The Bhutanses . Retrieved from www.thebhutanse.bt.

Customs Valuation, Rules of Origin, Commercial Fraud & Money Laundering:

NACEN, Kolkata, India 2010

The training on customs valuation, rules of origin, commercial fraud and money laundering at National Academy of Customs Excise and Narcotics (NACEN), Kolkata, India in January, 2010 was attended by 5 different officials from Department of Revenue and Customs of Royal Government of Bhutan and I happened to be one among the five. The initial process while we reached at NACEN started with registration followed by briefing of our training and structure plan for the course with study materials being provided for the Bhutanese participants only.

Our course started with Mr. S. Routh, Appraiser at the NACEN who shared the overview of Foreign Trade Policy, 09-14, Impact on Import & Export, various Export promotion schemes, Type of Export Frauds including misuse of Export promotion schemes-Modus Operandi –and Methods to handle the menace.

The next session started with Dr. S.K.Mahapatra, Appraiser, who shared with the class on the Import & Export under multilateral and bilateral agreement Tariff benefits. He also taught us about the Enforcement of Customs exemptions for their implementation, scope of abuse and method for safeguard. The next speaker was Shri M.K. Sil, Joint Director, who shared with us, how Commercial Fraud and Money Laundering, Direct and Indirect Smuggling are practiced and its Mode of Investigation. Shri P.K. Agrawal, Asstt. Director, also shared with us regarding the Customs Valuation (Determination of Price of Imported and Export Goods) Rules, 2007. In the process we also learned the Customs Valuation as per contemporaneous Import and its relevance and applications.

R.K. Singh, Asstt Director, Safeguard Duty, taught us the Rules of Origin, Trade Remedies, Antidumping Duty, Safeguard Duty, Protective Duty, Detection of misuse and safeguard.it was followed by Shri.S. Das, Additional Commissioner, Bhubaneswar-I, who shared us the Evasion of Customs Duty through Import/Export by various modus operandi. He also shared us the live detective cases handled and their follow up needs for alertness and taking precautions.

Since it was the last day of the course, Adieu by Shri Adhish Dhar, Additional Director, joined by the entire Appraiser who taught us and gave away our certificate and group photo with words of appreciation. Indeed we were very fortunate to have undergone this course and it has enriched us with various knowledge, skills and methods to overcome any fraud are being practiced. We look forward for more of such and advance courses in the future and serve the department with sound knowledge on such issues that might arise.

Participants from Bhutan includes:

1.      Rupen Gurung, customs, P/ling,

2.      Sherab Dorji, customs, Samtse

3.      Ugyen Dorji, customs, Gelephu,

4.      Dungtu Wangchuk, customs, Paro airport,

5.      Raju Gurung, Sales Tax, Thimphu.

Royal Audit Authority (RAA) prepares to adopt International Auditing Standards

As reported in the kuensel, (Subba, 2016) Royal Audit Authority of Bhutan is in the process to adopt International Auditing Standards. The process is also in line with vision of the having corruption free society in Bhutan with proper utilization and good governance in place. It will enhance the basic norms of auditing report system with professionalism in carrying out the works by the auditors.

It is also reported that RAA is undertaking this steps to overcome the growing complexities and technological advancement in doing the business. It will further help the government in enhancing credibility of auditing works. It is another way to improve on standard auditing report system to have uniform and standards norms for all. The adoption will be a benchmark for the various stakeholders of the RAA to measure the performance of auditors. It is their one of the strategic goals under its Strategic Plan 2015-20. It focuses on development of staff and organization system for sustainable implementation of International Standards for Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI) in RAA.

If the current adoption for international standards of auditing goes well, it will further help enhance the overall performance of auditors in the country and ensure the transparency in the use of public funds without involvement of corruptions. The success in the RAA will also be the success for the country and its people building stronger bonding’s and ensure future certainty on use of public resources more efficiently. This will also ensure the trust of the people on those responsible to handle the public funds and resources to the best of the country. Bhutan in need cannot accept the corruption given our limited resources and our dependency on the external grants, aids and loans. The corruption will in fact drag the country into more debt and inefficiency in resources mobilizations with possible withdrawal of external grants and aids to Bhutan.

References:

Subba, M. B. (2016, October 26). RAA Prepares to adopt international auditing standards. Kuensel, P.5. Thimphu, Bhutan.

Increase of Personal Income Tax (PIT) Slab and its Impact to the nation.

With the approval of increase in the slab for PIT by the National Assembly of Bhutan from initial amount of Nu.100,000 as basis exemption, it has now revised to Nu.200,000 with effect from 7^th July 2016 as reported in Revised Taxes and Levies Act of Bhutan, 2016 (2016, p. 9).

The increase in the slab rate came as the much awaited decision from the National Assembly of Bhutan giving an opportunity save an extra amount. The increase in the slab rates comes with both advantage and disadvantage to the country. Around 46,105 taxpayers will be benefiting from the tax exemption, however it will cost the country to lose up to 484 million of ngultrum as forgone revenue (Dolkar, 2016).

With the increase in the slab rate, an individual will not file their personal income tax return if their annual earnings do not exceed Nu.200,000. On the other end, the tax rate will remain same as it is now. Income with Nu.200,000 to will 250,000 will have 10% as tax rate, 15% for Nu.250,001 to Nu.500,000, 20% for Nu.500,001 to 10,00,000 and 25% for Nu.10,00,000 and above. It is also informed by the Prime Minister that the increase in the slab rate comes after 15 years of its implementation and it would mean a lot to the lower income brackets. Bhutan’s current slab rate is also the lowest income tax slab in the region as reported by the Finance Minister.

The purpose of increase in the slab rate was also to cope up with the current inflation rate of Bhutan which stands at 3.31 % in the second quarter of 2016 as reported in the trading economics (2016). There is also an increase in the amount of education allowance expenses from Nu.50,000 to Nu.150,000 beside the increase in PIT Slab giving lesser final tax liability for the tax payers. Beside the financial benefits the taxpayers would enjoy, it would also reduce the work load for the tax officials while carrying out both self and desk assessment. The decrease in the work load will have positive influence with increase efficiency in their service delivery.

References: 

Dolkar, D. (2016, June 9). Business Bhutan. Retrieved from www.businessbhutan.bt: https://businessbhutan.bt/pit-revision-to-cost-government-nu-484mn-a-year/

National Assembly of Bhutan. (2016). Revised Taxes and Levies Act of Bhutan. Thimphu: National Assembly of Bhutan.

Role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Bhutan.

Presented by Amra Srdanovic on 27^th October, 2016

  Resident PFM Adviser (Bhutan).

The speaker started her presentation with the introduction of International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is an organization comprising of 189 member countries created in 1945 working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment, sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty around the world. She mentioned that IMF ensures the stability of the International Monetary System in three ways; Surveillance, Lending and Capacity Development. Bhutan had joined IMF on 28^th September, 1981 becoming the 147^th member nation.

IMF in Bhutan provides both short and long term Technical Assistance (TA) to the Royal Government (Article IV consultation), Royal Monetary Authority (RMA), Ministry of Finance and New South-Asia Regional Technical Training Centre – SARTTAC (New Delhi). The IMF resident adviser to Bhutan, Ms. Amra Srdanovic at the request of the Bhutanese government, provides technical assistance to the Department of Public Accounts (DPA) in the Ministry of Finance on high level objectives which includes;

1.  Improving the effectiveness of expenditure control and the efficiency with which it is achieved.

2.      Improving the quality and timeliness of the financial reporting.

3.      Improving the cash flow forecasting and cash management.

4.      Supporting the execution of budget reforms in so far as they affect DPA’s operations and

5.      Supporting further development/enhancement of the Public Expenditure Management System (PEMS).

She informed the student that, currently the government of Bhutan has PEMS in the process for all government agencies and Government Accounting System Reform (GASR) with DPA to lead the implementation of the e-payment system reform. The resident adviser focuses on Public Financial Management (PFM) policies in the country which helps promote efficient and effective use of the public funds with appropriate level of control. PFM cycle includes four broad activities; Resource mobilization, Resource allocation, Resource utilization and Audit and Reporting. It was shown that Bhutan has always placed greater importance to Good Governance on principles of accountability, transparency and efficiency. This principle has helped the country to allocate the resources properly by having strong planning and budgeting system which translates the five year plan into sectorial strategies, programs and annual budgets within a rolling three year fiscal framework. Further, the efficiency in use of resources for service delivery is assisted by competitive procurement yielding greater value for money.

This has helped our country to gain more attention from IMF and Donors in the recent years with regard to PFM besides Asian Development Bank (ADB) being one active partner to Bhutan in the areas of macro-fiscal analysis and fiscal risk management. She also informed that the Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) of the IMF have expanded its PFM TA to the Bhutan with primary focus on macro-fiscal analysis, budget preparation, cash management and payment systems.

The presentation ended with question and answer session.