Piloting electronic tax payments for import–export goods via payment service suppliers

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the implementation of Decision No. 2545/QD-TTg dated December 30, 2016, of the Prime Minister approving the project to develop cashless payment in Vietnam in the 2016-2020 period has improved the ability to access banking services in the economy, contributing to the implementation of the national strategy on financial inclusion; enhance the transparency of the economy, expand the accessibility and use of banking and financial services to all people.

Taxpayers can make tax declarations, payment and cargo clearance anytime, anywhere, on any device connected to the internet. Photo: H.Nụ

Promoting electronic payments toward a cashless society is an inevitable development trend in the context of the industrial revolution 4.0, creating a dual impact of both promoting economic growth and supporting the implementation of financial inclusion strategy through banking and financial services. In addition, the application of information technology plays a vital role in electronic tax collection and payment, reforming administrative procedures on tax collection and payment.

Over the years, the Customs sector has coordinated with commercial banks to collect duty, implemented the project of electronic tax payment and customs clearance 24/7, and authorized collection. Implementing the projects allowed taxpayers to make tax declarations and payment documents directly on the electronic system anytime, anywhere, on any device connected to the internet. In addition, the electronic data processing system helps the unit to reduce the number of paper documents, reduce the time to carry out procedures and facilitate enterprises in the process of carrying out customs procedures. Up to now, the rate of import-export enterprises paying taxes electronically through the bank has reached 99%, with the total revenue collected through the e-customs payment gateway.

However, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, there is still a tiny number of revenue from individuals and households when participating in import-export activities that pay in cash, or some units pay cash at banks.

To develop and increase utilities for taxpayers, bring more experience to people and businesses when using accounts opened at banks, payment service suppliers to make online payments for import and export goods; at the same time, to increase the habit of using cashless payment and electronic payment, the General Department of Vietnam Customs said that the development of “Project on electronic tax payment for import and export goods via payment service suppliers” is necessary.