APD | Cambodia collected $1.5bln in tax revenue half year

By APD writer Kin Ratha

**PHNOM PENH, July 15 (APD) ** - The General Department of Taxation (GDT) of Cambodia collected about $1.5billion in tax revenue during the first five months of the year, which accounts for about 66 percent of its full-year target, while the same period last year the tax collection was about $1.2billion.

In its statement issued on early this week, the Department said that some years ago tax revenue collected with about 10 percent above the target.

In 2017, the tax revenue collected reaching above the target with about 15 percent while 14 percent achieved in 2018, it reads.

The GDT’s full-year target is $1.33 billion this year, although 30 percent lower than the $1.92 billion projection for 2018, Capital Cambodia reported during a tax forum in Siem Reap last month.

Kong Vibol, Director-general of GDT, said tax collection could reach over 60 percent by the end of June, and in the next six months, it could hit more than 65 percent of the target.

“It is because of the sharp reforms, both in terms of regulation and tax administration,” he said.

“We will not reach our tax collection (revenue) if there is no proper registration,” he emphasized.

Last year, the government collected $2.19 billion, up 11.19 percent from $1.98 billion in the corresponding period a year ago.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)