Latest update January 4th, 2025 5:30 AM
Latest News
- ‘Show us the feasibility and EIA studies done by US EXIM Bank for Gas-to-Energy project’- Dr. Adams
- AFC questions Govt’s fear of renegotiating oil contract
- Israeli attacks kill dozens in Gaza as ceasefire talks resume in Qatar
- T&T PM Rowley to bow out of elected politics before general elections
- Govt. hunting for more housing lands, after using up those available in several regions – Min. Croal
City Hall tax amnesty kicks off
– Special committee selected to oversee programme
A special committee has been selected by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) to oversee the affairs of the one-month tax amnesty project, which commenced on Tuesday.
The M&CC panel discussing tax amnesty with a city businessman, yesterday.
The programme offers defaulting taxpayers an opportunity to honour their civic obligation and pay their rates and taxes, interest-free.
Under the amnesty project, residential properties will receive total amnesty on interest, but companies and businesses must apply to the council for between 50 per cent and 75 per cent amnesty on tax interest.
The exercise, which commenced yesterday, saw persons, meeting with a select panel to have their tax issues resolved. Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase-Greene, Town Clerk, Royston King and Councillor, and Junior Garrett are among officials on the committee.
During a press briefing on Monday, Mayor Hamilton Green reiterated the Council will honour the promise to grant waivers to defaulting taxpayers but noted that this will not be done “capriciously.”
According to Mayor Green, the council has a framework, where residents and business persons can present their case, to the committee for waivers on interest in taxes owed within the past few years.
He had explained that the committee set up by Councilor Junior Garrett, will ensure transparency and consistency in the process, as the council seeks to garner a substantial revenue to assist with the massive restoration project, it is about to undertake.
Speaking specifically about the tax amnesty offered to businesses, Mayor Hamilton Green had noted that members of that community will benefit but it will not be an “open house” scheme.
The committee, he explained, will decide based on investigation of the amount of waiver each business will receive.
Green further noted that no amnesty will be granted to businesses, which had been part of the deliberate process to suffocate the municipality under the previous administration.
“Those entities will not be entertained and we know who they are. They better pay up as soon as possible…We are here to help those in need,” the Mayor exclaimed.
Further alluding to the Council‘s position on the issue, he said that entities with recently erected high rise buildings will not benefit from the amnesty, since the valuation for premises, is essential to the amount of the taxes owed to the council.
“We have not been able to conduct valuation of any such properties…Hence, workers will be on the ground during this time to monitor the programme and ensure fairness and transparency is maintained.”
The council has noted that about 300 businesses are in default of paying taxes, this year.
The Georgetown M&CC, from time to time, has offered delinquent taxpayers waivers on tax interest through amnesty. The venture is seen as a method of collecting hundreds of millions of dollars in outstanding revenue, owed to the Municipality.
The exercise also seeks to assist citizens of Georgetown whose socio-economic issues might affect their ability to honour their civic obligation. This year’s amnesty exercise is slated to run until September30.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Democracy thrives on dissent and plurality
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking at an event commemorating the death anniversary... more
Breaking the Chains of Poverty: A need for political will
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The year 2024 has underscored a grim reality: poverty continues to be an unyielding... more
Weekend Cartoon
