St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber calls for the revocation of licences until outstanding taxes are paid
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| President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Franlkin Brand (Photo by Erasmus Williams) |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, DEFCEMBER 20TH 2007 (CUOPM) – The St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce is recommending that Government focus on delinquent professionals who refuse to submit their returns to the Inland Revenue Department and revoke their business licences until outstanding taxes are paid.
In a news release detailing its official response to the 2008 Budget Address delivered last week by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, the Chamber said it was pleased to learn that “no new taxes will be introduced in the next fiscal year” and hopes that the rate of existing taxes will not be increased.
The Chamber said it hopes the Government will continue to improve tax collection in order to increase revenue and recommended a widening of the tax base so that individuals and entities who should pay taxes do so, as the law requires.
The Chamber also recommended that Government focus on delinquent professionals who refuse to submit their returns to the Inland Revenue Department.
“Such delinquencies should result in the revocation of business licences until outstanding taxes are paid,” the Chamber recommended.
It also called on Government to design a programme to deal with distressed and/or abandoned properties in the Federation as Government is being deprived of well-needed taxes from such properties while the values of neighbouring properties are unfairly suppressed because of their mere proximity to distressed and/or abandoned properties.
“A workable solution to this problem should include a facility whereby citizens can be encouraged to purchase such properties, repair or renovate them, and then bring them back on stream as taxable real estate,” the Chamber recommended.
It called for a clear definition and review of the Government’s land-use policy insofar as the exploration of solutions to address the national debt is concerned and for the development of a national energy policy in response to rising oil prices and depletion of natural resources. ~~Adz:Right~~
“Our people should be constantly encouraged to develop “green” living standards by conserving electricity consumption, using more fluorescent lighting, and converting to solar and wind energy generation,” the Chamber suggested.
It also recommended that Government encourage the practice of community policing through (a) neighbourhood watches; and (b) installation of electronic security systems, burglar bars and security doors, adding that it would also be useful for Government to consider lowering or removing the import duties on all security devices, noting that while security systems currently attract import duties of 15 percent, security cameras are still being taxed at the same rate as electronics.
“In today’s environment security cameras are a necessity, not a luxury,” was the Chamber’s view.
The Chamber said it hopes it will have an opportunity to engage Government on the concerns raised over the 2008 Budget as “only in an environment of meaningful dialogue would it be possible to collaborate on finding workable solutions that will benefit the Country as a whole.”
