The Zoo owes 800 billion in taxes. If we pay all of it, where will we get the money to feed the animals?

Lê Thanh Phong |

The Zoo and Botanical Garden pays more than 163 billion VND in land rent each year, and currently has an overdue debt of nearly 800 billion VND.

As of October 31, the tax debt of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden Company Limited (Thao Cam Vien) was more than 846 billion VND, the overdue amount for forced tax collection was more than 787 billion VND.

The unit was leased land by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee with an area of ​​158,117 m2 for public use under an annual payment regime, for a period of 50 years, more than 163 billion VND per year, and currently has no money to pay.

In addition to business, the Zoo must manage a 160-year-old zoo, taking care of nearly 2,000 animals and more than 2,000 plants, many of which are rare and endangered.

Animals in the zoo must be properly cared for, fed, and treated. During times of epidemics, protecting these animals becomes more difficult and costly.

The Botanical Garden of the Zoo contributes to the "lungs" of the city, a beautiful green space with many ancient trees. Hardly any other place in Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding area has a green space with so many rare plants concentrated like this.

Therefore, the Zoo is not only a place for sightseeing, but also a center for students to do scientific research, a place to rescue wild animals before returning them to nature.

Bringing students and children to the Zoo is a way to provide knowledge about biology beyond books and educate them about protecting the natural environment.

With such non-business functions, talking about profit is not just about money, but about creating other benefits for the community.

However, the provisions of the law must be followed, land allocation requires tax payment, and the tax authority's "debt collection" is justified. But the question is, if the Zoo does not have money to pay taxes, how will the management agencies handle the situation and enforce it?

For normal businesses, it is possible to revoke their business licenses. But if the Zoo stops operating, where will the money come from to raise animals and care for the city’s number one rare plant garden?

If the zoo sells tickets and collects only enough money to pay for workers' salaries, animal care, and other expenses, and does not have enough money to pay land tax, then it can be held personally responsible for poor business performance. But if it were to force tax collection, it would clearly be unreasonable and difficult to implement.

In the case of the Zoo, it is necessary to recalculate the taxable area, not on the whole but only based on the service business area. If the calculation is not appropriate, even if the tax debt is up to thousands of billions, it will be difficult to resolve.

Lê Thanh Phong
TIN LIÊN QUAN

The only waste treatment plant closed, by the end of July, Ca Mau had no more place to bury waste

|

Ca Mau - After the waste treatment plant closed, Ca Mau took the waste to bury. This is a temporary solution, but by the end of July there is no more burial place.

Da Nang stops all paragliding activities in Son Tra mountain area

|

The Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang tourist beaches said that it has stopped all paragliding activities on Son Tra peninsula since July 9.

Dam Vinh Hung officially continues the lawsuit with Bich Tuyen's husband

|

On July 8 (ie July 9, Vietnam time), the US court officially allowed Dam Vinh Hung to continue pursuing the lawsuit with Bich Tuyen's husband.

Israel declares it has the potential to cease fire with Hamas

|

Israeli officials said the possibility of a ceasefire with Hamas is significant, although more time is needed to agree on details.

TP Thủ Đức sắp có công viên rộng gấp 7,5 lần Thảo Cầm Viên

ANH TÚ - NHƯ QUỲNH |

TPHCM - Công viên Thủ Thiêm sẽ là công viên lớn thứ 3 ở TPHCM với quy mô lên tới 128 ha, thuộc bán đảo Thủ Thiêm, TP Thủ Đức.

Cận cảnh hà mã con nặng 100kg ở Thảo Cầm Viên hút du khách

MINH TÂM - NGỌC ÁNH |

TPHCM - Sau 1 năm chào đời, hà mã con được đặt tên Ca tại Thảo Cầm Viên (Quận 1, TPHCM) đã tăng 80kg, đạt 100kg khi tròn 1 tuổi.

Thông tin về cặp khỉ xám nhưng sinh con lông vàng tại Thảo Cầm Viên

Thanh Thanh |

Thông tin cặp khỉ xám sinh con có lông màu vàng - giống với màu sắc khỉ ở chuồng bên cạnh - tại Thảo Cầm Viên Sài Gòn (Quận 1, TPHCM) nhận được sự quan tâm, chia sẻ khắp mạng xã hội.