Tax evaders beware

williams
Irving Williams

The Inland Revenue Division (IRD) has issued a stern warning against tax evaders and defaulters in Dominica saying it will take tough action against them.

On Monday, the Inland Revenue Department commenced its 12th Annual Tax Awareness Week with a thanksgiving ceremony where  Comptroller of the IRD, Irvin Williams, indicated that those who default on their taxes will face legal action.

“I think it is a fitting time to inform non compliant people that action will be taken against those who do not comply. All are encouraged to voluntarily pay their taxes when they are due,” he warned.

Williams said the IRD will also be working with the appropriate authorities to ensure that people do not travel without a valid exit certificate.

“The names of VAT defaulters will be published in the newspapers and court action will be taken against defaulters-both non filers and non payers. These are just a few of the stringent measures that will be taken against tax defaulters and tax evaders. We appeal to all defaulters to file and pay taxes and avoid us to having to proceed with any of the actions,” he said.

He said the call also goes out to all those who fail to pay taxes, licenses, whether for trade, liquor or even vehicle, drivers and firearm licenses

Williams says the Inland Revenue is willing to negotiate installment plans for those who are unable to pay the entire sum  “upfront”.

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68 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    March 21, 2013

    The idea of Government being able to prevent people from travelling by denying them an exit certificate is not only out of date but tends to be dictatorial in this day and age. Surely, there must be a variety of options available, even some that could prove significantly more lucrative to the Government than choosing to restrict the free movement of people often times in the conduct of the very businesses from which you expect to receive tax revenue.

  2. stehen
    March 20, 2013

    law of the land is only for some can you remember the news paper headline 7000 DOLLAR SALARY MILLION DOLLAR ASSET. the primninster was made to pay his land taxes thanks to that news paper headline,

    as we speak there is an injunction stopping the inland revenue investigating the senior council family business.

  3. IluvmyPm
    March 20, 2013

    Stupes Pay skerro so I can get money to do my hair from the red clinic.

  4. Looking in
    March 19, 2013

    People only owe Taxes because they have /making money. And when they refuse to pay, penalty and interest growing on it making it fatter. Therefore if people pay when they have to, they wont be owing so much…..Tosh make sure all you go behind them bougousie too.

  5. Frank Talker
    March 19, 2013

    But why can’t Tosh understand that in any depressed economy, tax evasion increases? Threating to prosecute tax offenders will not yield positive fruit. The economy does not produce sufficient to enable earners remit taxes. Even in the case of VAT, where the tax collected by traders is held in trust for the State, those traders often find difficulty remitting all the taxes “supposedly” collected because a significant amount of their transactions are done via credit cards, and credit card companies and banks can take up to three (3) months to pay the traders. During those three (3) months, the traders books will show that a sale was done, but he has not yet received the monies yet the VAT people will hound him for their money. Where de H**l he getting the money from to remit VAT?

  6. March 19, 2013

    Love those. Coments now I do hep social security will start giving poor people a reasonable monthly money , while the laves them selve in buying and selling land , and paying them self fat salary . That’s Why I do want to ever join them
    Stealing from the poor paying the 150 or some time. 100 shame shame

  7. CC
    March 19, 2013

    What about all the chinese businesses, are they paying there fare share of taxes?

  8. Anonymous
    March 19, 2013

    I hope part of the measures put in place will be so that people will get their refunds a lot faster and not have to wait 6 months mr who Ever you are sir

  9. the truth
    March 19, 2013

    How can a company not file taxes for so many years and nothing is done about it.Mr internal revenue do you have a heart, Remember you have a Higher Authority to answer to. Stop allowing yourself to be used.

  10. islam
    March 19, 2013

    we need a revolution in Dominica.

  11. Anthony P. Ismael
    March 19, 2013

    Admin, you keep censoring my comments on this issue. Is it because I lamented that I hope the system is fair and just for all? We all know how things work in Dominica. If you have the correct last name and family connections, you’re often above the law. Stop censoring my comments. The Internal Revenue Department is a government agency not a private one. As such, citizens like me have a right to comment. I pay all types of taxes whenever I visit home.

  12. Poorman
    March 19, 2013

    DO SQUEEZE ME!!Mr.IRS I doe get MILK and CHEEZ OK.

  13. John Paul
    March 19, 2013

    What about all those Chinese workers on the State House the State College ,those that built the Stadium and the west coast road now the Oliver Leblanc Highway ,Did they or are they paying taxes?
    Sorry that is a State Secret and we cannot ask Tony or Skeritt about that !

    • John Paul
      March 19, 2013

      They will tell us to shut our mouth ,stay in the toilet ,get a doll ,put our hands between our legs etc.
      Mr. Skeritt get a wife !Maybe You already have a doll “A Male one”

      • Enuff
        March 19, 2013

        Skerrit say revenge time…

    • D/can to De Bone(F
      March 19, 2013

      Tax should have been deducted by their employers if they are entitled to PAYE. Find out if they paid then come and comment on the matter.

      • Justice and Truth
        March 19, 2013

        What is the percentage of tax tpaid on income earned?

  14. forkit
    March 19, 2013

    i hope this is for corrupt lawyers and politicians… what about taxes on all that money isidore was giving to people

  15. stupes
    March 19, 2013

    They need to stop taking months to pay people refund. Sometimes they don’t pay at all….warn yourselves first. !!

  16. Morihei Ueshiba
    March 19, 2013

    The system is designed to punish productive people and reward the cheating and lazy ones. You have alot of Dominicans who go to work 6:00am in the morning and leave work at 7:00pm everyday building Dominica… ex. Suki.. then u have a bunch of Dominicans who are lazy then the Govt takes money from productive people like Suki and gives to them in the red clinic on wednesday (redistribution of wealth), then u have the elite in society who can afford to pay taxes but is safeguarded by our court system & Govt. This IRD system of collection targets our most productive in society. This is class warfare. :mrgreen:

  17. American Abroad
    March 19, 2013

    Mr. Williams, I think that there is a problem in your department”” I worked in DA and never received a refund. Shamely to say, I worked for 7 months in McDonalds in the Virgin Islands, paid about $300.00 in taxes and received about #3500.00 in returns as a single parent with 2 childres. Where is the tax money collected from taxpayers going? Paying refunds is an incentive to encourage early tax filers.

    • Easter Bunny
      March 19, 2013

      Could it be that when you worked in Dominica based on your income you didn’t pay income tax but had SS deductions which are mandatory? You would qualify for a refund in the US if you made minimal income add a child or 2 to the mix and child income credit kicks in plus other deductions giving you a decent return. Imagine you only paid 300 and got over 3 grand it is the way the US system is designed but know that someone else like me with no dependents has to pay the bill through higher taxation based on my income bracket with no refunds! How can you say something is wrong with IRD? Where are they supposed to find the money to give you? People have to work their asses off so folks like you reap the benefits Dominica income tax owes you nothing.

    • Dominican Queen
      March 19, 2013

      Okay dumb dumb!
      If the CORRECT amount of taxes are taken from your check every week then you will NOT get a refund. Most Dominican employers are able to pay your exact tax owed to the government, hence NO refund. And you cannot compare US taxes to ours. You should qualify for Earned Income Credit (EIC) which means you are eligible for up to $5,236 with two qualifying children. The difference b/w this credit and the amount you received is the amount of tax you FAILED to pay for the time you worked. You should revaluate your number of deductions and other such affecting your income.

  18. Anonymous
    March 19, 2013

    I hope all you publish the name of the company that file injunction against all you. Is the poor people all you have strength on. Sa que mechaste!!!!.

  19. Anonymous
    March 19, 2013

    D one where d big boys does be on a Saturday :mrgreen:

  20. Jbfox
    March 19, 2013

    The country can’t function without people paying their taxes,many Dominicans have land that stretch from one end of the island to the other and doesn’t want to pay $1.00 tax on it.

    • SadIndeed
      March 19, 2013

      @jbfox…After I spend so many years paying for it..I still have to spend the rest of my life paying more on it. What happen to the $150,000 interest don’t they get their cut from it. When will we have peace of mind. What’s the point of going through a mortgage process with the bank only to then go on a pay the government more. It functioning alright. All now we have an acting Prime Minister. So there is money to travel and travel not cheap. After I build my house I have to pay tax on it again never ending mortgage then. Maybe the government should buy up all the lands divide it themselves and let people pay tax even after they are dead. I’m sure you will see my point of view

      • Anonymous
        March 20, 2013

        Don’t you know that people get relief from tax if they have mortgage paying for the house they live in?

        Don’t you know you will only pay tax if you make income over 20,000? If you make $20,001.00 you pay .15 cents tax only.

  21. ok boyz
    March 19, 2013

    We all know thay we don’t have money. W e cannot afford to pay much. I am willing to pay 5$ a month as sion as I start working. Maybe someone else can pay 10 and another 3. Stop killing the country, let people pay what they can not what you all want. All the money labour getting here n there they should think how to repay before saying thank you

  22. Kwaibe
    March 18, 2013

    Dominicans stop being immature and own up. Dominica like all other countries has tax and at the end of the year taxes are filed and refunds are paid and there are those who own the state. And please people do not compare the US system with Dominica, Dominicans overseas brag about how much money they receive after the taxes are filed but mark you a number of us owe a vast amount of money to the government because a number of things have to be taken into consideration when doing so. I urge you all to render to Caeser what belongs to Caeser and to the State what belongs to the State.

  23. Justice and Truth
    March 18, 2013

    I do not reside in Dominica but it would be interesting to see this income tax form.
    Every national, employed or not employed as long as the latter receive government financial assistance, they should be obligated to file an income tax return.
    I recall when I resided in Dominica and was employed I filed an income tax return but never received a cent refund.
    There are times some are late in filing their income tax return. People are busy and they may either forget or delay preparing their income tax.
    We in Canada and no doubt the U.S. know what a headache it is to prepare the income tax. We call it income tax time. :) I saw an amusing TV commercial about that.
    Organization is necessary. Relevant papers should be placed in a file/filing cabinet so that they will not have difficulty finding them. I have learned this. :)
    Comptroller of the IRD those who have not filed their income tax return and who also owe the government, I do not think it is the business of everyone in Dominica that they should this. This should be personal, private and confidential between the government and those taxpayers.
    Why not do this in a businesslike and diplomatic fashion? Do you not first write them as a reminder and request that they submit their income tax return? Your office could telephone them or request that they appear with their information and to come to your office (not necessarily yours personally). If they fail to do this, then they will have to answer to the government. They may be charged and imprisoned. People do not mess around with the government. I reside in Canada and all of us know that. Otherwise a penalty will have to be paid. Those who file their income tax and owe the government, they should know that they will be charged interest. If they fail to pay the government will garnish their wages. The government has the authority to go into their bank accounts and withdraw the amount owing, i.e., if they have money in their banks. The government will get its money, one way or the other.
    However, printing and publicizing their names is not fair to them. Personally, I do not endorse that. If only God would expose your sins to the entire world you would not appreciate it and would be embarrassed. Thank God he doesn’t, at least, not while we are alive but on Judgment Day everything will be exposed for all to see.
    Your government and yourself should not stoop so low and to embarrass them. Is this called for? Surely, you could consider another strategy on how to do this.
    The Canadian Media report the percentage of people who filed their income tax and vice versa. Names are not mentioned. This information comes from the government authority. Those who feel they do not owe the government may file theirs late.
    In addition, Comptroller, every one who receives an income from the government should be required to file an income tax. It should not only be the workers. The $300 to $400 or more that the government gives to those who are not employed, young or old as those on welfare or as subsidiary, they should also be required to file an income tax. There is no age limit.
    If you have established a “basic personal amount”, when individuals prepare the return and submit it, they should know if the government owes them or not. Those who receive minimal income obviously do not pay income tax. Nevertheless, they should be required to fill one out. This is one way of having a national register on all nationals. Today information is computerized. It makes it easy to keep records. This is a sure way of having a correct and up to date national register on all nationals, giving the government an accurate knowledge of how many people reside in Dominica and also how much money the government expends for those who are not employed, young or old.
    When National ID cards are distributed to nationals, Dominica residents who qualify for them should all be required to submit an income tax return; not too much work for your department I hope but it is necessary.
    In addition do the income tax forms have a column for those who are hospitalized or who visit the doctors and pay the exorbitant sum of money to them that they could claim a certain percentage of that amount? I do hope that they receive a receipt from the hospital and the doctors.
    I have been hearing that some people pay as much as a few hundred dollars for also medication.
    Does the government inform taxpayers what there “basic personal amount is”? If this is not yet implemented, my advice to the government is to ensure next year that it is printed on the income tax form. This will be fair to taxpayers. For income tax purposes, it will also satisfy them that the government is fair to them and that they are not paying higher income tax than they should.
    This is my contribution to Dominica and its nationals. God bless Dominica and its residents.

    • Justice and Truth
      March 19, 2013

      :oops: Pertaining to broadcasting and publishing the names of those who have not filed or failed to file their income tax return and as some are called, tax evaders, I meant “that they – all Dominicans should ‘not’ know this.” Their private matters should be between the government and themselves and vice versa. It should not be divulged to the public. It will also humiliate them. It is like a government and public punishment for them. The public should not be privy to this. Treat this information privately as stated.
      And “their”.

  24. Anthony P. Ismael
    March 18, 2013

    If some of the writers on this post were living in foreign countries, they would be paying their taxes annually. My only hope is that the system is fair to all income earners irrespective of their income bracket or position in society.

    • Justice and Truth
      March 19, 2013

      You are correct. We do not have a choice. It is pay as you earn. For those who receive a pension, unemployment and welfare benefits they will receive annual forms, one for Federal and one for Provincial. Employees receive theirs from their employers.
      We in Canada pay tax to three levels of governments, Federal, Provincial and Municipal. Taxes are high. Not everyone qualifies for a refund. It depends on their income and the amount of tax they paid. Employers should deduct ample tax so that hopefully employees do not have to pay additional tax to the government. Employees who may have more than one job could ask their employers to deduct additional tax. We do not get away with anything here. The saying is taxed to death and after death on the estate, if any.

  25. ()
    March 18, 2013

    Man stop you nonsense. Where people getting money in this poor and failed country.

    • Justice and Truth
      March 19, 2013

      I have empathy for them. However, they should still have to pay a certain amount of tax based on their income. People want progress. They must consider that the money has to come from somewhere. Everyone should pay what they can according to government regulations.

  26. straight.
    March 18, 2013

    Wait wait, now things get tight allu want to crack down on ppl. well bon chance. Dont worry, we’ll go to the red clinic for help to pay it.

    • Justice and Truth
      March 19, 2013

      Wait, things are tight all over the world. I heard on the Toronto TV news that the Federal government stated they will investigate the bank accounts of nationals to ensure that they are not hiding money in their accounts and not paying taxes on them.
      For instance savings accounts. If they have an exorbitant sum of money in their accounts, the banks will pay interest to them which they must report on their income tax return. The banks also send a copy to Revenue Canada. Therefore I am unable to comprehend what further information the government is seeking.
      Those who have shares in corporations, other investments and in the stock exchange must report their earnings. Our Canadian government is getting desperate for money. Some politicians have squandered some of the taxpayers’ money and now taxpayers are paying for it.
      Times were better in bygone years. Times were better in those days when employees would receive a certain amount of salary increase. Not so today. There is salary freeze for some. For others no salary increase and still others only a mere one or two percent; not much.
      Today, it is no bed of roses up here. No exception in the U.S. Many of us wish we would win a lottery and also take off for our country.
      The Canadian government does not tax the principle of the lottery; only the interest on it.
      As the saying, hold strain. This goes for each and every one of us wherever we reside. God bless! May he sustain every one of us and see us through. Everything is only for a time. It lasts for only so long.

  27. legit
    March 18, 2013

    pay alu taxes people…i want my back pay…

  28. yes
    March 18, 2013

    all you does think is on ground people getting money and all you self not paying all you own?tax to high in dominica.

  29. LEARN TO WRITE
    March 18, 2013

    When all you start to calculating people tax returns properly (and fairly) more people will file. You cannot tell me that for years and years people paying their taxes religiously and not one refund — year after year. MA-GWAY-SA!!! Help me to understand that. For some unknown reason, people always owing money to the Inland Revenue at the end of their assessment. It is so rare that after someone file their taxes that a refund is granted. It’s time people start looking into that.

    • Justice and Truth
      March 18, 2013

      You made an excellent point. It appears a lot has to be changed in Dominica. My advice to you is whatever you feel should be changed in Dominica, no exception what criteria the judges and magistrates use to acquit criminals/murderers and to lessen the sentence for murderers and this tax issue, make notes of them. Write your government respectfully and request a response. When election time rolls around they should also be issues for the electors.
      Pertaining to paying taxes and not receiving a refund,is there not an established “basic personal amount” for every national on the income tax form? Depending on the income, tax paid and personal/family obligations etc., as those with children who are provided for including tuition fees paid (if any), one could either get a refund, none at all or may have to pay the government. If people have more than one job, be prepared to pay more to the government. Otherwise they will have to pay the government extra taxes.
      If Dominica does not have such a system of “basic personal amount” then the government should implement it. It is not fair that nationals keep paying taxes and they do not know what their basic personal amount is. Correct me if I erred.
      Nationals should know about that. This helps them to prepar their income tax return. If this is not so then the government may need a new financial minister and/or an accountant (whoever else) to review the income tax form.
      You know your income and the amount of income tax paid. In order to ensure that you have paid your fair share of taxes and that the government is fair towards taxpayers, it is necessary that the income tax form indicates the “basic personal amount.”
      Dominica is more progressive today. They emulate other countries. If there is no such system, in all fairness to taxpayers, it is high time to consider this.
      I reside in Canada. The income tax form reflects the basic personal amount. The government cannot cheat nationals and they cannot cheat the government. If they try they may sometime get caught. :) It is better to be honest.
      All nationals receive relevant forms for income received, showing applicable deductions as also income tax paid from their employer and/or government pension department for those who are pensioned. Even those who receive social welfare and unemployment benefits receive a form. All are obligated to file an income tax.
      Those who earn a low income or a certain amount could qualify to have their income tax prepared, free of charge, by volunteers at the income tax office by appointment. The government also gives a rebate if qualified to receive it. Therefore it is important that nationals send in an income tax return in order to receive it for the year.
      The forms are sent out towards the end of January to February.
      April 30th is the deadline for filing the personal income tax return. Obviously, some people will be late. It is a headache for every taxpayer when that time rolls around to prepare their income tax. Some prepare theirs personally and others pay relevant enterprises to prepare theirs. Today with Internet, they could purchase a package and download it on their computer system and then prepare their income tax and forward it via the Internet to the government. Their is one which is free of charge depending on income. It is a secure site, so the government said, we hope.
      You must as you stated, look into this. Speak to the MP who represents you.

      • Enuff
        March 19, 2013

        Truth and justice thats what we need in D.A.

    • north posse
      March 19, 2013

      That’s not quite true cuz I always get refunds.

      • Justice and Truth
        March 19, 2013

        Are you employed in Dominica? Do you get refunds from the government in Dominica? If you do, good for you.

    • President
      March 19, 2013

      Learn how to file your taxes. I got $1245 back

      • Justice and Truth
        March 19, 2013

        If you are in the U.S. or Canada of all I would expect that but only for some. Some people doctor their income tax return to get more refunds. Their accountant could assist them. If the government conducts a further investigation, they will find themselves in trouble.
        In Canada we are told to keep copies of our income tax returns for at least 7 years in the event the government chooses us at random to conduct an investigation to compare their records with ours. You see, they do not always trust us and believe that we filed accurately. :lol:

    • Anonymous
      March 19, 2013

      Lol. That’s a nice one but I think you get a refund if you pay too much tax

      • Justice and Truth
        March 19, 2013

        If in Dominica I think this is excellent. I call the refund a welcome one. It comes in time when it is most needed. :) Therefore, it is wise to file on time and as soon as possible the government expects taxpayeers to do so. Some people take trips with the money especially those who have a family. They keep it for their vacation or use it to purchase necessary items. After all, it is their money, their hard earned dollars. :)

    • Xtra
      March 20, 2013

      Jack. You can only get a refund if you have over paid. Why don’t you say your name, where you work and how much salary you get and the tax you pay. You cannot fool the readers. You are a lazy Jack who do not like work.

  30. peter piper
    March 18, 2013

    Yes sah,the treasurer calleth!

  31. Rockers
    March 18, 2013

    All you think Lennox will pay up? :lol:

    • John Paul
      March 19, 2013

      Which Lennox? Linton or Lawrence ?

      • SadIndeed
        March 19, 2013

        hehe nice one answer the question.

    • March 19, 2013

      Lennox who ?

  32. Jail-corrupt-leaders
    March 18, 2013

    Irving what about Astaphans injunction? Irving what about the villas? Law is for one set.

  33. CIA on the watch
    March 18, 2013

    Hope you will remember J Astaphans and Co too

  34. Five o
    March 18, 2013

    Hopefully such actions will enable the government to reap the millions of dollars it is owed on these backslackers that fail to pay there Taxes….How slick are we to think we can dodge The IRD,… 8)

    • March 19, 2013

      I think you have it backwards it’s all the MPP’S and the supporters that get the monies the tax man should be going after but of cause he haven got the guts he is protecting his job I would say to him it’s better he does because we would all see that he was doing his job instead of looking the other way poor people in D’ica dont have any jobs so they cannot contribute maybe at the end of the year the Red Clinic Manager should make a contribution on their behalf.

  35. hallie berrie
    March 18, 2013

    hahaha. funny!

    • John Paul
      March 19, 2013

      Hi Haile Berrie good to see You commenting ! John paul!

  36. Doc. Love
    March 18, 2013

    El Suprimmo is evading the IPO commission,therefore,you cannot blame other Dominicans for evading taxes.What is good for goose is also good for the gander.

  37. T
    March 18, 2013

    Stuppesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!It’s only the poor man all you can squeeze.There is a particular business in town all you are afraid off though! COWARDS!

  38. WHO VEX VEX
    March 18, 2013

    get damn work 4 people
    allu just behind people money

    • me
      March 18, 2013

      really get work for people? what about people going out and looking for their dam self

    • Anoushah Alie
      March 19, 2013

      I agree! In addition, get them work that will give them disposable income so that they can afford the high taxes! “Fregging” politicians and their ruthless tax tactics! ERK!

  39. I DIE NU
    March 18, 2013

    Good move..Is they so that holding down the country..Make them pay……….

    • sidney
      March 19, 2013

      with what poor people paying? ?? give better paying jobs, everyone will pay.

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