The Trinidad and Tobago government is to take garnishee proceedings and file “distraint actions” against residents who do not pay up their rates and taxes.
Finance Minister Winston Dookeran said that the unpaid taxes owed to government amount to $13 billion, comprising the principal of $5 billion and penalties and interest of $8 billion.
|
Noting that the major portion of the arrears therefore related to penalty and interest charges, the minister said it was expected that a significant portion of the $8 billion penalty and interest component will be cleared automatically as taxpayers take advantage of a tax amnesty being offered until the end of May 2011.
Dookeran said, “After the amnesty period the State will utilise the full extent of its legislative authority to ensure that compliance with relevant taxation acts is followed, as government seeks to make good on its tax receivables, broaden and diversify its tax base. After May 31, 2011, when the amnesty period ends, the Bureau of Inland Revenue (BIR) will aggressively pursue enforcement actions for delinquent accounts. This will involve the use of garnishee orders and distraint actions, that is levying on the assets of taxpayers with delinquent accounts.” |
|
