Tax sector cuts 211 tax branches

The streamlining of the apparatus of Tax sector is aimed to facilitate to taxpayers. Photo: T.Linh.

Building effective organizational structure of the General Department of Taxation

Implementing Decision No. 41/2018/QD-TTg of Prime Minister dated September 25, 2018, defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the General Department of Taxation, the General Department of Taxation has submitted to the Minister of Finance issues defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of tax authorities at all levels throughout the system, including from department level and units under the General Department of Taxation, to departments and branches. Accordingly, the General Department of Taxation has no division level under the department. After reorganizing and restructuring the organizational structure in accordance with new regulations, the General Department of Taxation has now dissolved 27 focal points at department level, equivalent to a reduction of 27 managers and equivalent; reducing 56 deputy managers.

For provincial tax departments, implementing Decision No. 1836/QD-BTC and Decision No. 110 / QD-BTC of the Minister of Finance defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of tax departments of provinces and cities and tax branches, the General Department of Taxation has developed and issued decisions defining the functions and tasks of divisions under the tax department; teams of the tax branches.

According to a report by the General Department of Taxation, the whole system has completed the organization of the tax department in accordance with the new regulations. After the arrangement, it has already reduced 63 focal points at division level, corresponding to 63 managers and equivalent. At tax branches, implementing Decision No. 520/QD-BTC of the Minister of Finance on the arrangement and consolidation of tax branches into regional tax branches, currently, the General Department of Taxation has directed the implementation of the organizational structure under the new model, expected to reduce about 30% of team-level contacts (about 1,500 teams), corresponding to a decrease of 1,500 team leaders.

Already reduced 211 tax branches

The work of consolidating organization, personnel and streamlining apparatus have been strongly implemented by the General Department of Taxation in the consolidation of tax branches into regional tax branches. Up to now, the whole tax sector has carried out four consolidations of tax branches. Accordingly, in 2018, the General Department of Taxation established regional tax branches in 6 localities: Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Yen Bai, Quang Ngai, Lam Dong and Ca Mau. The first phase of 2019 implemented at nine tax departments (Ha Nam, Hung Yen, Da Nang, Dak Lak, Lang Son, Ninh Thuan, Soc Trang, Thai Nguyen, Thua Thien-Hue), consolidated 54 tax branches in order to establish 26 regional tax branches, reducing 28 tax branches. The second phase of 2019 would be implemented at 16 tax departments (Bac Kan, Hau Giang, Khanh Hoa, Son La, Quang Ngai, An Giang, Dien Bien, Lam Dong, Hanoi, Long An, Phu Tho, Nghe An, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Kon Tum, Tien Giang), consolidating 106 tax branches in order to establish 50 regional tax branches, reducing 56 tax branches.

Currently, the Tax sector was consolidating tax branches in 35 tax departments (Quang Ninh, Ca Mau, Hau Giang, Thai Binh, Ninh Binh, Dak Nong, Cao Bang, Quang Tri, Thanh Hoa, Lai Chau, Bac Lieu and Bac). Giang, Binh Dinh, Hoa Binh, Tuyen Quang, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Phuoc, Ha Giang, Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, Binh Duong, Kien Giang, Bac Ninh, Dong Thap, Lao Cai, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Binh Thuan, Nam Dinh, Hai Phong, Gia Lai) with 207 tax branches in order to establish 98 regional tax branches, reducing 107 tax branches. Thus, through the arrangement and establishment of regional tax branches, up to now, 401 tax branches under 61 tax departments have been dissolved in order to set up 190 regional tax branches, reducing 211 tax branches.

The consolidation of tax branches was a strong step of the tax sector in arranging and streamlining the apparatus. At the tax departments that have been successfully consolidated such as Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Quang Ngai, Dien Bien, the unified units ensured the fulfillment of budget collection tasks in the area. Regional tax branches have contributed to ensuring the fulfillment of revenue collection and expenditure targets, socio-economic development of each district, town and city in accordance with the State Budget Law. In particular, the consolidation did not cause difficulties and trouble for taxpayers when performing their obligations to the state budget. The ideology of tax officials has agreed and assured to work; giving sufficient advise and promptly for the Party Committees and local authorities in the work of giving directives and administration of current appropriation for state revenue in districts, towns and cities. The work of tax declaration, payment and settlement of tax problems was ensured to be implemented smoothly.

To achieve those positive results, the tax sector has received thorough guidance from the Central Government, especially the drastic direction of the Party Personnel Committee, the Ministry of Finance leaders and the active participation of localities in instructing the units to arrange, consolidate and hand over assets, working offices and professional jobs. In addition, the units have actively reviewed and reorganized in accordance with the spirit of Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW and the direction of the Government and the Ministry of Finance on streamlining the apparatus and operation productivity. After the arrangement, the functions and tasks of each division were clearly specified; no overlap, no omission. The size of each division is reasonable, commensurate with the assigned workload and meets the requirements of administrative reform in the new period.