One hundred and fifty six million dollars, is what Finance Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says is being owed to the state by Dominican tax payers.
He told reporters at a site visit in Layou Park on Wednesday that $106-million are being owned in taxes and another $50-million for lands and housing.
“Our citizens owe the state $156 million in taxes. I don’t even need the $156-million …. give me half of it and we will be able to address a number of issues that is affecting the people,” he said,
He said the government has implemented several debt collection strategies which are not being honoured by the tax payers.
“We are devising a strategy. We have been offering people to come forward and we will waive the penalties and interests,” he pointed out. “But even after you’ve done that, the people do not honour the commitment to the Ministry of Finance. They do not pay and in some cases the interests were substantial.”
Skerrit said even after penalties are waived, debtors are still seeking dialogue with government to have the entire payments waived.
“People just think once it is government, you don’t have to pay government and these are the same people who want better roads and for government to do more,” he said.
As Bro. Malcolm said log ago….the chickens always come home to roost….they always do.
the names of all the people who owe should be published and the government should seize their assets and sell it off to recover the money that is owed. the only problen with this solution is, as a small island we play politics with everything so as a result names will never be published because we want all our campaign funds. Skerrit stop belching bubbles when you know damn well you not willing to take the real steps.
skerrit what do you expect when you give those lazy supporters land, house and money in the red clinic, you give them all that and still expect payment…
you really do not have much more excuses to come up with…so sad
BOSTON — In the waterfront federal courthouse here, prosecutors this week started building their case that James “Whitey” Bulger was the violent leader of a lucrative criminal empire, allegedly willing to kill rivals with his own hands.
But across the country, Josh Bond, the manager of the Princess Eugenia complex in Santa Monica, knew Bulger and his girlfriend, Catherine Greig, as his neighbors Charlie and Carol Gasko, a kindly older couple living together in a simple apartment. Bond recalled meeting Bulger in 2007.
“First time I can remember meeting him,” Bond said in an interview with CBS Evening News broadcast last night, “he actually came to my door and knocked on my door one day and introduced himself and gave me a cowboy hat. Said he thought he didn’t need it anymore and thought I could use it.
“He was very nice to me,” Bond said.
Bulger, now 83, settled into the Princess Eugenia in an attempt to elude capture by federal authorities, who in 1994 indicted him for 19 murders and other racketeering charges. A corrupt FBI agent helped Bulger to flee Boston by tipping him off that officers were out to arrest him.
Bulger was one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives for 16 years until his arrest in 2011. Bond and another neighbor played an important role in Bulger’s capture.
The FBI got a call in June 2011 from Anna Bjornsdottir, an ex-model who split time between Santa Monica and her native Iceland. She recognized Greig from wanted posters and told the FBI what alias she was using.
That sounds like the case of the fire boombing suspects local furgitives.
What I do not understand; is what does all that have to do with the people of Dominica, not paying the taxes they owe to the government of Dominica?
We are debating fifty-six million dollars out there which could be spent to start construction on an International Airport.and here you are talking about some dumb murderer who probable have never heard the name Dominica.
I reside approximately seven mills outside of Santa Monica, in the city of Los Angeles, I been to Santa Monica court house many times for this week, as recently as yesterday morning, filing wrongful (unlawful) detainer law suits to evict tenants who fail to pay me my rent; so perhaps I should start talking about the multiple murders which took place in Santa Monica last week when the guy gunned down his father and brother, and then went into the streets after setting the house on fire, and commenced shooting and killing people at random, before he was shot by the police. earlier this week there was another double murderer in the same city!
Dominica people accuse me of going off topic, but you are far off topic, and target oui!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
And watch just watch. The tax people will go after all the small businesses but leave the big 2 untouched as instructed by Skerrit.
Watch and see. They will squeeze blood out of stone with them little businesses fighting to stay alive.
But how much does the State owe taxpayers?
Once again, a lot of ##@&%# comments. It would be nice to know who are the ones owing the state. Not me, I am good with the IRD. When all the mepuis is said and done, these people still owe the state. PAY UP! I did when I was owing.
Skerrit created the policies that have cultivated and cemented the beggar mentality into the Dominican culture hence the “People just think once it is government, you don’t have to pay government” And now he wants to complain when HIS actions come to bite him on his butt? That’s hilarious!
Take a course on “Cause and Effect” Prime Minister. Go back to school and make that your first course!
Secondly 10 years of a crashing economy. 10 years of no policies to assist growth in private sector. 10 years of ignoring farmers. 10 years of vicious favouritism. 10 years of deliberate dedicated killing of the small-medium business. 10 years of killing small-medium business to make the Big 2 business families happy and last but by no mean the end, 10 years of the most grotesteque levels of gorging, pillaging and plundering of resources that should have been used to help build the economy and now he wants to complain people cant pay their taxes?
Go after your big boys that you have been stuffing with the money for the past 15 years! and while you are at it, go after yourselves too! stewps. Skerrit is ah real piece ah work wee. Unbelievable! smh
Skerro have no conscience, u put 15% VAT on people and they can claim for goods that come in on the port, what about the goods they had in there inventory before u put the VAT and they paying VAT on it, WHERE IS THE FAIRNESS IN DOMINICA????
Why did you prevent them from paying custom taxes on the ‘black infinity’, instead you give to them and others immunity. Is that the way you display your masculinity.
Save us! Save us!..O Holy Trinity.
AND HOW MUCH GOVERNMENT OWING??? Just asking for the villas, the travels, houses built for families and friends, duty free left and right, HOW MUCH?? If one is being laid on the table bring all.
Reason why our country is behind most Dominican do not like too contribute they like free stuff and our governmentbeen corrupt previous and current administration.
Not only that they do not like to patronize with their own people , they rather help the rich get richer.
I would like to know how much tax the PM and other ministers have paid. Can the PM tell us? Year after year those who think they are above the law (and are in fact above the law as IRD cannot do anything about it – do they dare send a letter to the prime minster asking to pay taxes) are the ones not paying. So why they banging on about I don’t know. One thing i know when i die it will not be my soul that rip off no person or no country. ‘Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar’ Sin doesn’t die when you die.
Come on people pay your taxes.
It won’t hurt paying your taxes helps to develope our country.
The lower class people will OSY for what they have.
But the Upper class don’t’
“Our citizens owe the state $156 million in taxes. I don’t even need the $156-million …. give me half of it and we will be able to address a number of issues that is affecting the people,” he said”(The Prime Minister).
The reason the people who are in arrears refuse to maintain their obligations to the State, is because of the kind of politics we play in our country.
I am sure all of the people who owes this massive amount of money to the State, are people one may find most of the time dressed up in red pretending to support the government; thus they believe it is their right not to pay taxes simply because they believe as a labor party supporter they have a given right for a free ride!
I would not be surprised to find them on the Labor Party platform running their mouth off while they should be convicted tax evaders!
The politicians also fear, if the State confiscate the proprieties they owe the taxes on, and have them sold, that may be a sure way to loose the votes of the few which may cause them to loose an election.
One hundred ($156,000,000.00) million dollars might be one (1/3) third of the amount of money need to build the International Airport; however, rather than using the legal means at the nations disposal to collect the revenues owed to invest in the country, we rather crawl on our belly looking for handouts each time we need money to do something important in the country.
Once an example is made out of one person, the rest will shape up, and pay the taxes they owe. The Inland Revenue Service (IRS) of any country does have the right to levy on any property taxes are owed on for a long period of time, or for any taxes due to the IRS.
Here in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Tax Collector will not bother you for a period of five years, you do not have to pay one dime for five years; however, by the time the calendar said you are in arrears for five years, you had better have all of that money to submit, otherwise you may find you propriety sold in a public auction.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
@Francisco Telemaque June 13, 2013 “I would not be surprised to find them on the Labor Party platform running their mouth off while they should be convicted tax evaders”!
FETe I like your comment, except for that line above. I do not understand why we cannot express our views without sidelining a group of people, to hit on!
I can imagine that large amount of money is not charged to the local working person–most of them would not have a paycheck that is large enough for income tax deduction, through employment; but that does not mean their employer should get away from it.
So that among of money owing to the State is definitely charge to people with businesses–who will not pay their dues.
So why must we sideline only those in the “Labor Party”-does that mean that no one else has businesses which demands that they pay taxes for that business operation, apart from those who support the Labor Party?
Including interest and this could amount to an exorbitant sum based on the principle owing.
Come on people, why is it that everything should be taken for granted?
Just pay the taxes!!!
If you were in the united would you not pay your taxes?
What must be done is that an example should be made of someone especially the rich like putting them in hail
Point of correction, I meant” leaving in the united States.” And not United.
Putting them in jail, it sieze their assets and just maybe a change can be seen.
You wouldn’t be the Diva who got tax-free concessions by any chance, would you?
One time you are saying how things are moving well, other time you are crying like a baby. pay the bills for your people mr skerrit. take the red clinic fund and put it in the treasury for the tax defaulters.
This is a lot of money owing to the State. Be patriotic and honor your obligation. Pay your taxes.
It appears the government is giving them a break, no interest. They are fortunate. They cannot expect the government to cancel their tax debt.
Simply arrange to pay what you can, a little at a time and in the long run all of it will be paid.
It’s everbodies duty to pay their taxes, but what’s happening in Dominica, I can’t blame the ordinary people, they play a taped speech of skerrit for me and he said and I quote, WHERE THE LABOUR PARTY GET IT’S MONEY IS NOT YOU ALL DAME BUSINESS, GO TO HELL
Skerrif have judicial and a moral right to declare any funds recieved by him or the Labour party, so if he don’t feel like he is obligated, why should the common man pay
Skerrit and his government has lack any credibilty, the public has lost confidence in them
It’s time for skerrit to step Down, 15 years and he accomplished nothing, its time for change
P.s Isn’t thats how the American war of independence started?? NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION
Love that. NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION. That is how the U.S.A. won its independence and democracy. Hope the o;d speaker puts this into her ears next time she objects to questions from the opposition on spurious grounds. How democratic is that Ma’am?
“I don’t even need the $156-million …. give me half of it and we will be able to address a number of issues that is affecting the people,” he said. You have a lot of b@##! asking them for that money, because YOU have yet to produce enough jobs that would give them a disposable income. Maybe if you were addressing the issues with viable polices, they would have jobs to go to, and money to pay their tax bills. I hope you never get this money, because the government has taken enough from people, while giving them so little. It is no wonder that the youths are drinking and smoking when they should be in school, and every Dominican dream of opening up a shop, because it is only their chance of becoming financially stable.
So all the people they putting in housing scheme n they not paying let them pay. All the people that getting money for small business and they using it to buy ipad and trips to stmartn and lucia let them pay. Peter cannot pay for paul. If more taxes has to comr out from my salary then is best i stay at my home.
AA but not de other day you say things so good, Dominica can afford to lend Antigua and Anguilla money nah??
I owing IRD money, i have a little savings, tell them come and take it….hahahaha!!! De bank will give it to you for sure, with de kalitay loan i take from dem dere!!
What is your problem? You think this is a joke? They are obligated to pay their taxes.
L.M.A.O.
MAN D/A PEOPLE MAKES ME.
D/A people makes me laugh…
imagine when time comes to service the loan for the Palace, and road mentainance,imagine if the leader did not invest a million of tax payers money into private people business, Imagine if Astafan was paying their fair share. imagine if the PM was living in Dominica and we did not have to pay him $400. us a day, imagine if we did not have to pay all these baggage ministers and technocrats, like Aaron, imagine if the passport sale was done bona fide and transparent, imagine if we had a half honest PM. just imagine
Imagine if we were getting a fair share of the money from the Layou River Sand sale
I love you you think like me. am in the US too. We can hook up and bluster these shit heads in gov’t and opposition alike.!/2 literate leaders. byproducts of poverty take power what a calamity.
It’s quite misleading to say the Dominican Tax Payers owe that kind of money. The Honorable PM seems to forget that the 15% VAT levy is still in effect even after it’s intended ‘expiry date’. It would’ve been more appropriate to say that several businesses owe that money to the government and present it to the public. If that isn’t the case then it just shows the incompetence of the person responsible for managing the books i.e. Mr. PM. This is going to be paid back by the working class of society while the upper class are the ones who incurred the expenses. Look carefully fellow Dominicans, the unmitigated gull of this administration, for its misappropriation of funds and the disrespect for the knowledge of the public is mind boggling to say the least. The Country needs help!
comrad…have you paid back all the money you stole from the bin bobol? where is the flipping auditor?what a shame for da.
The best idea
…tax forgiveness (complete wipeout) 
for each and everyone 
and start from scratch…begin from two or so years ago… 
Yes, and I would have paid 20,000 pounds over the last x years, and your 20000 will stick in your pocket and make your 20000 richer. And you will sit down and laugh at me. WE not all this SOT. Go pay your taxes
Man, that sounding too much like those corrupt regimes in Africa, for which nobody has respect.
Would you want that pompous idiot Bono of U2 pleading on your behalf? No thank you.
LOL kick them around like a soccer ball skero..
they love you dearly and will remain silent and praise your methods..
dominica the island where ignorance is contagious.
skero have you declared fully all your assets…
a people really get a regime the permit..
skero is you raise the bar just maybe dominica will come off being rated as the poorest in the caribbean. you must set the tone skero..
Pay Ur taxes people.
When the PM and his ministers pay their fair share of taxes on all the GIFTS they get. If it wasn’t for Linton Skerrit would have gotten away of defrauding the Treasury of 50,000 on land transfer fees remember…..and that is what we found out about….
If you have your money in the Swiss Bank, should you pay taxes here in Dominica on your interests?
Once you live, eat and work in the country…you ought to pay taxes.
We do, at least 15% each time we put our hands in our pockets for goods an services.
Or a Cayman bank? Should you pay taxes in Dominica?
Well the country is hard and persons are having difficulties meeting their commitments, no crime in that, this is the world over. However we see duty free of all kinds for all kinds of friends and relatives, for persons who can afford most specifically, this is a direct robbery on tax payers of the country.
You bashing unemployed mothers who are having a hard time paying $5.00 a year but persons who clearly can afford are getting new model infiniti car duty free. Duty in excess of $100,000. So who really is doing a disservice to the tax payers of this country?
Roosevelt Skerrit you need to go so we can manage what we have and create employment so outstanding taxes can be paid.
If you know the people that are receiving favors such as what you mentioned, go to Roosevelt with that information. I think NO FAVORS should be rewarded for as much as Dominica is in hardship. Taxes must be paid, even at a minimal. The Island should not suffer while favors are granted to people who are in a better position to make these payments.
Itassi go to Roosevelt Skerrit. All you wicked in that country not true. The PM just gave 500,000 EC dollars to ONE establishment to reburfish his disco? The same PM couldn’t find it in his spirit to help and ailing young girl go to Trinidad for surgery. They wrote her off as being on her way out, but disco can get 1/2 a million of tax payers money. I have property in Dominica, I pay my taxes, I pay the city council, so much so I have a credit for over payment, but what about those who are paying, struggling and paying, why our tax money must be used to disco. If is not 250,000 EC he giving one band to buy guitar, is 1/2 a million for disco. Those things are on the gazette, don’t you all read? When Skerrit comes with his fan fare he knows exactly who is owing taxes, and who is robbing the country of taxes.
Dominica needs a Strong Man…Dominicans are incorrigible…
Yes I said it…just like the US…people dont eff around up there you know…the long arm of the law will catch you….Wesley Snipes….3 yrs for not paying his taxes
Thats what we need in DA….compliance
In the US, the President sets the example by making his income public, and like Obama making his Tax filing public, and government execs, get audited, and investigated by the IRs, so when comes to Tax everybody under equal scrutiny. Say dat for Dominica nuh, tell your PM to lead by example nuh.
Are you related to Erkel…if not stop yourv nonsense Whaldo…I said Dominica need a stong man to enforce compliance you there coming with your effortless waste management statement.
A strong man? Are you telling us we don’t have one?
IPO are you aware of the Tony Astaphan injunction against Inland Revenue?
Probably the biggest business place next to PHQ owes most of it since they put an induction .
An “injunction” you mean, surely. Stay off the stupefiants.
I have one question for u labourities to go ask allu pm. Does the chinese pay taxes????
We have got to investigate. EVERYONE should pay taxes.
Does that include the farmers and fishermen?
Yes I believe so.
That can help develop the country.
The upper class should pay a higher rate and the lower classes a smaller amount.
true true true true true dat
As someone said earlier the chinese gave dominica all what it has now…roads, stadium, schools, budget support, scholarships, housing, interbationa exposure….
Not go ask your dominicans are we tax compliance
I will repeat, after the Chinese have built free roads, bridges, schools, given scholarships, computers… do you still expect them to pay taxes?
Until you understand the arrangement with the Government of Dominica and the Government of China you can talk. Nothing in life is free, there is always a catch.
Stop pinning the blame on the Chinese. The Da population is small and some of you bringing in vehicles duty free because you are friends with someone who know someone in government.
Nothing, absolutely, nothing is given for free!
Everything has a price.
Well don’t say is “Our Tax Money”that paying for it!
“Our citizens owe the state $156 million in taxes. I don’t even need the $156-million …. give me half of it…”
Is the PM contradicting himself? You want people to pay their taxes yet he is saying ”I” (meaning his government) do not need the money. ‘
Another way to get the owed taxes is to garnish the bank accounts of those who refused to pay. What happened to garnishing?
garnishing is kool as long as it is fair and across the board, and the PM declares all his assets, and land dues are paid on Savanne Paille and all the others.
I hope de Chinese paying their taxes u know>>>
Why should the Chinese pay taxes, when allu getting free money and grants all year round from their government?
Lol
it’s stupidity like yours that that have Doiminica in that state. didn’t ur mama tell u that there are no free lunches? Think with your brain not ur a??.
@poitive-ness…you are making surethang point for him/her…lol…garcon ou sot
Are you serious? This is when they SHOULD be paying taxes.
If you get a loan of any kind in America and you are unable to make the payments, on time or whatever, your loan will be deferred, but the INTEREST will continue to grow. You have to pay back that loan plus interest.
who is that idiot “some thang?”
…and is our loan money that going to employ those Chinese… not even Dominicans.
our money employing Chinese… can you believe that?
Most ppl not paying taxes is the same people getting handouts from Govt. Our tax base is tiny, because the amount of people who actually are steadily earning an income declining more and more. Wonder why.
So the small set of taxpayers paying for the Labour potos.
Couldnt happen to a better set of people.
And yes. Please tell us about the injunction against Tony’s family. In fact tell us about the duty free you give to your supporters and also the taxes paid on land.
And tell us about the bin bobol and what you all were TRYING to let pass.
Bail is the new income earner for Dominica.
Fertiliser bobol…..
In dominica people get away with so much ish… If you owe taxes pay it you guys coming up with a bunch of irrelevant excuses and who did what.. Had this been the US your wages would have been garnished, your bank account frozen etc.. That is why the country is suffering, you guys want the gov’t to do their part but you guys are not doing yours.. Stop being cry babies and making excuses…
You are on point
Before you make this statement you should ask who are the people who owe most of this tax. I would venture to say it is not the civil servant or farmer but the business owners (foreign and local)
It does not matter who owes! Pay your taxes people, be it the honorable prime minister, the laborite business man or even my mum! Stop blaming PM and his government! Pay your taxes!
…and ur point exactly? If it was the us al the corupt politicians would have been sent parking and the nonsense we are tolerating would have been long delt with. familiarise ur self with the issues in Dominica while u enjoy ur big apple, then comment.
in the us my bro, everybody including the Pres pays his taxes, in Dominica is only non supporters of the govt are hustled to pay.dont compare The US with DA
Are you stupid really whaldo
Can you prove what you say? I can bet my bottom dollar that you can’t.
“if it was the US”, It isn’t.
Same in Canada. These governments do not care where you get the money as long as you pay up. They go after everyone who owes them. If they own a house they could lose it. The government could seize it.
They may have to sell their house to pay the government. I heard of a case like that. Who knows? There may be more. Some of them declare bankruptcy. Others may have to take out a loan, if they qualify for one to pay the government. They would have to place a lien on their house/property for the loan.
Dominicans always flapping about in the US. In the US so many people homes are going into foreclosure, unemployment is high, IRS in trouble for over spending tax dollars while squeezing people out of their last dime. Come again with the lies about in the US people just up and pay taxes? You all think you have a monopoly on information and just spread falsies, and it’s the likes of you Skerrit depends on to fuel his propaganda. So many great pieces of legistlation are in place in the US why don’t we all model on them, you all want to cherry pick. Some of you here ranting about in the US and taxes, don’t have a pot to piss in much less a house tax bill in the very US. You all speak after people. You have state, county, federal taxes etc etc. Skerrit needs to curb his exuberance and sober up when he is speaking. He knows exactly that the tax delinquents aren’t residents but primarily large business houses who have refused to pay taxes for yearssssssssssssss. He knows that the dip in the tax revenue is also his fault, because for friendship he is giving away large amounts of tax write-offs, money the country needs. When he is in the right I will back him, but this time he dead wrong. You all sit in your little spaces millions of miles away, waiting for a free ticket to come to vote every four years and then come blabbing about in the US in the US.
All I will say at this time is, “it is better to be considered a fool,then to open your mouth and remove all doubts.” The Minister of Finance is who again. Thank you.
My people something big is comming down,this is distraction number one.
You are probably right. I’m waiting for them to haircut savings accounts, say anything above $5,000 with 5%, just like they did in Cyprus remember. Poor people and those with limited savings would not object to that and they constitute most of the voters. Just make sure you don’t keep too much in your local bank account.
Half of tht owings is business tht close down and pple tht bankrupt or go away say something
Wait.. Wait.. Wait.. Dominica doing better than its neighbours, Dominica handling the financial crisis, so now chavez die, u crying Dominicans owe the state over $100 million, so the chicken coming home to roost now Dominicans must pay for your bad decisions. U have done nothing to improve the productive sector, u just taking loans for infrastructure, now u crying.
At this point we d/cians cannot afford to pay nothing we at d end of. D rope, stimulate Resuscitate d economy create employment for things to roll or make those chinese pay it…stupes I not paying tht if I pay it d money is to buy a ct scan and to pay public works workers etc…d thing on me frustration
What that killing me is that when it have a little conflict/argument they crying, OH our tax money that paying dis an paying dat.
ZOR PAKA PAYA TAX
I wouldn’t pay a red cent!
Why wouldn’t you pay a cent? If you were in a foreign country, you would make sure your taxes are paid by a certain date if not the gov’t going after your pay check. Why can’t Dominicans just pay their taxes in Dominica?
How about a blue cent? No…perhaps a green cent then?
@Who vex vex MOI KA PAYE TAX. check the big business place that the IRD cannot touch there, then come and make your dumb statement. We pay tax on everything basically in the country (VAT) Stop acting so dumb
When last you pay ur house rate
the little $5.00 they asking u dia when last u pay it, or maybe you still live by mummy
lool
AMEN!investigate all those that put injuction to stop IRD in their tracts.
I have a problem with the PM statement.
First, I think that is the wrong place and time for the PM to bring up these issues. What happen to the parliament? Isn’t where these issues are supposed to be discussed and get solution for them by both the Government and Opposition? That tells you how serious the PM takes the country business. No one party can do it alone.
Secondly, what happen to the injunction J.A. Astaphan placed on the government to prevent the IRD from auditing their books? How much money from the $156 million do Astaphan owe? Are they paying the right amount of taxes? Is the burden of paying taxes evenly spread across the board for all companies? What about all the Labour Party supporters, do they pay their corporate taxes including professional fee, Income Tax for employees, Legal fees, Property Taxes?
Thirdly, if more of the government capital projects are done by Dominicans citizens and business, we will get much more taxes paid to the treasury and IRD. These same Dominica who owe the IRD will be able to pay their taxes.
Fourthly, the government should spend more money on the productive sections of the economy like Agriculture, focused tourism, international airport, digital economy, and Agro-Processing instead of building a 27 million dollar state palace and trying to over invest in the geothermal industry and our fortunes will be much better. Government has to leave business for the Private Sector and not compete with them. They should focus on their core business and competencies (creating the right business environment).
So the solution is not as difficult as the PM wants us to believe, just give us work, employ our business on government capital projects, just to mention a few and you will see more taxes coming into the government coffers.
The PM statement also tell me that the taxes owners does not trust that government and do not believe what is coming from the PM mouth.
CHANGE IS A MUST NOT AN OPTION
I couldn’t agree more! The politics in Dominica has no structure!
The people lack structure.
Donkey of Years the Gov owing My Father (R.I.P) 270,000.00 for a baco They were using and it got destroyed through their use, that matter just in a run around FOR YEARSSSS, so when d little people who barely surviving after 160hrs every month of indentured slavery doh make it an issue when Yall cant even pay up when is the Gov who owes.
My point is, this is a significant sum of money, if in fact your statement is true. Why, then you are disclosing this to the public in such a forum? . Well i have further questions for you as the nations purse bearer
1. can you break down this figure into monies owed by companies and private individuals.
2. Can you tell us over how long has these monies are being owed.
3. can you tell us whether your government intends to prosecute defaulters?
4.is this a reflection of incompetence under your watch as PM and minster of finance?
That is why I cannot get my Refund…but this should not be why at all eh.
this goverment as won elections by giving too and bribing people,do they really believe now the people are going to give them back,this is what happens when a goverment governs with back door deals and under the table payments,straighten and put your house in order and i am sure a lot of who owe might concider paying it because you will be showing that your serious
Actually they’ve won because there’s no better replacement just yet. All these guys skerro, savarin, edison, astaphan all of those stagnant people there are the problem. Talented Domincans at least a few need to return home.
Someone suggest a few of us need to come back…and do what…..for maypwi from you sheeple? See what the bad tax payment culture did to Greece… we want better roads, etc and expect hardworking people who pay their taxes in other countries to pay for it. It is true we did not fight for our independence, but that does not mean that we cannot contribute to the development of our country.
With good and transparent governance, our tax monies will be used to build and maintain infrastructures and other institutions for us and future generations. L
To those of us overseas, continue to send the monthly remittances for our families; that is going right into the local economy. We are making a contribution too, guddammit!
Let’s make the right choice for our future generations.
You mean that is the best we can offer? May as well switch off the light and pull the plug.
Why can’t law makers and the government incoporate the house and land tax into the dowasco water utility bill? then they surely will pay that aspect of the tax….it’s a start if you ask me
Good vibes
u want protest man. 365 rivers,water is aready overcharged and the electricity company refuses to invest more in hydro to bring down the price of power. come on.
It is called 15% mal vat on water bill, electricity bill, top ups, internet, medication, KFC,Pizza
Very simple, you put the names and amount in the news paper. Then after 60 days if you still ignore the govt they get a court order and auction the property or sieze your bank account for the amount you owe.
This is a clear indicator that Election day is drawing near ! He needs more money for the “RED CLINIC” so he can keep His voters that are dependant on Him the same ones He gave their jobs away to the Chinese to build a Palace which I firmly believe he plans to inhabit as a little Chavez.
That money is safer in the pockets of the People they can pay it after election when there is a new Administration
That’s the best you could have come up with?
The funny thing about this is that I am almost sure that these people were clapping when he said they owing him. By the way, is not one set that owe the govt tax. IS all of them, both red and blue. So while they clapping and applauding they are the ones holding the country in such state. After all you done clap, go pay all you tax.
This is outrageous. Dominicans need to pay their taxes if they want development. Come to America and do that and all u will see nah. Dominicans have it too good always want to blame government but they not doing their part to move the country forward. Who do like what i said that is their business.
A you kidding me the financial minister who is our PM cannot account for the Govt purse now he is putting it on the Dominican people wake up why is only now he would come out with such outragous statement and how many tax payers their are in DA right now look at the amount of money been spent on all those ministers and consultants he have some of them pensioners and back a work getting twice the amount of money so when the PM comes out with such I have to wonder what is he up too I hope the people will read between the lines for themselves and ask questions because it doesnt make any sense at all.
And what happen to the monies that the Govt recieved for roads what happen is he trying to clean up because he feels that things are out of control he will have to face the heat something is just not right so dont you dear come down on our people the only thing that they did was to go along with all his’s been doing they keep silent for much too long.
The funny thing is you saying Dominicans need to pay taxes but you’ve yet to say how you will hold the government accountable for how they spend that money. Why don’t you try thinking about your people for once instead of the RED that in your eyes?
That’s why when you take loan out on Dominicans head you need to invest that in creating jobs for the people so they can afford to take from the little they have to give a corrupt government like yourself a piece of their pie. My mother made about $500 E.C dollars every month for fifteen years with five kids to feed. My cousin who went got a degree came back teaching school and she only makes $1500 month. Last time I went to whitchurch I see a box of cornflakes about 25.00. I guess cornflakes is a luxury good Dominica or something it’s so expensive. My point is Dominicans living a shantys and in terrible situations having to sacrifice and Skerritt taking money to build plush government palace. Isn’t there a problem with this picture? Dominica doesn’t even have a defined mode of generating income. What’s the island’s main product skerro? So they give you 156 million dollars where’s the plan, a map for how you will spend that money? More palaces? More security for your new wife? more government BMWs? More luxuries for you to sit yourself down in style and look down on the laborers? I wouldn’t pay one dime until skerro provide the nation with a financial plan of how that moeny will be used!
\Man You said it better than me !Don’t forget the Duty free on the Infiniti for the Student returning to Dominica .Yes the one He has not presented to the Public!Michael Jackson style I wonder why /
lol… buy universal cornflakes like me for $12.00
lol..
universal?… boss that’s a down grade. Is to show you the ting making ‘pap’ before you even get to crunching on your flakes . how you going to charge me $12.00 for that crap?
Just like them tuna flakes our people are reduced to buying. Is nothing more than the bits of flesh left on the carcas, which they remove with a pressure hose and sell to poor people like us. The tin is worth more than the bits of fish in it.
Universal brand? No thank you, even though it is regional (produced by ABIL of Trinidad). It is crap.
Tell me please why is that when the government
owes citizens they never publish it? Tell me why they hang on to the money and pretend to forget to refund you the money they owe and why is it that they don’t put measures in place to tax themselves when they are late in refunding citizens money. Answer me that Mr. PM and others. I am still awaiting the grand sum owing to me by the Inland Revenue even if I filled in their yellow form with my bank details for them to pay it in. Tell me what you going do about that.
Those criminals have no paid u yet, magway sah.
Name them as the banks do and after a period then
the threat of property Auction
Fix up the country…look after the future as i see it the government don`t give a damnabout poor people…
were it a less corrupt government in power i’d be more concerned. but I believe the people will do better for the country with that 156 million than this government would.
Publish the names of the tax evaders – I dare you. Since I am free of convenient amnesia I would like to reminisce about the Pierre Charles austerity measures that included taking mone from the bank account of those who evaded taxes. The event is as clear today as it was yesterday. I even recall that many of the businessmen who were not paying taxes were so mad at Pierro. Today some of these businessmen are in the bossom of corruption with the politicians in government.
Give me the bible quote ” slave obey your master” instead. At least the slave know upfront that Masa is out to use em. Ceasar on the other hand is conning , deceitful and dictatorial.
Mr PM on the eave of election what is more important to you – the yes we care and child center or getting all the money owed so that social security and VAT can stop paying civil servants.
People must realise that it is important to pay their taxes if the want the government to provided essential services. However I have a couple problems. At least the IRD knows who ows and how much but do the know how much the company on King George V st owes? didn’t the state need the taxes you allowed youself on the infinity.
Very interesting. I agree everyone should pay taxes that they owe. I pay my taxes. This is because I actually like being transparent and honest. The problem as I see it is that the court system here is totally behind in their cases! So it would take years and years to collect the taxes that have been allowed being owed to be paid! This should not have been allowed in the first place. So this figure may well be owed but never ever paid back with the system that is in place now! So our PM really needs to claim the money back before letting the people know how completely inefficient the tax collectors here. It makes the PM look a bit silly!
Dominicans dont pay tax yet they want Skerrit to perform miracles for dem.
Lift the gag order the main spokesman for the labour Party have on the Inland Revenue Department
It’s not like he’s without resources. Here he has brought Dominica’s debt to how much hundreds of millions or a billion? Look around Dominica what you have to show for it? An influx of immigrants buying Dominica land before the citizens who toiled the banana fields for years before the lies of Eddo and Skerro came and ruin all the hardwork. Keep on keeping on
Ask yourself if D’icans owe the Isl;and that large amount dont you think PM would bring it up before so why now after all it will not help him get back in power
Where have all the millions of $$$$$ gone Mr.PM? Aren’t you and the Ministry of Finance interested in where all that money from the sale of passports, (ordinary and diplomatic), gone too?
But how comes Mr. PM hasn’t told us how many passports have been sold, monies made, monies placed in our Treasury from those sales, etc., etc.? We want to know those things too.
What about the $$$$ taken from the Treasury for those Bin and Fertilizer Bobols? Who did that?
What about all those $$$$ for concessions? Who owns villas? Police investigating money-laundering firebombed?
What about $$$$$$$$$$, for renovations of a particular private entertainment venue?
So Mr. PM, don’t bowl that googly. The economy is dismantling right under our eyes. Mismanagement. Corruption galour. Greed. Selfishness. Firebombings and defending and protecting. Enrichment by all means possible by a few cabalists. The Govt always has a way of getting what it wants. Whose fools are we?
It is Govt. which is totally responsible for the poor state of the economy over the years. Reluctance to invest significantly in the productive sectors have ensured the decline in standards of living of Dominicans. No one could deny that truth. Getting citizens in that “Begging mentality” mode is their vision.
Is it true that approx. 1/3 of that i.e. some $50 million is owed by people, who were given the opportunity to buy squatted land at $1.00/sq.ft.? and even more in outstanding rent on accommodation allocated under the housing revolution?
You have to ask yourself. Why finish paying for that land? Are they going to throw you off if you don’t? They certainly won’t do that to the neighbour, who opted to remain a squatter. And when you finally have paid and have free title, can you take it to the bank for a loan? Which solvent citizen would want to buy your freehold in such an area?
The same goes for the people living in property allocated to them under the housing revolution. Most were too poor to rent on the open market in the first place. What is Hon. Austrie going to do to those who simply refuse- or can not pay? Evict them? Can you picture that, a single mother with children to look after? On top of this we have to count the cost of maintenance and repairs, which all fall to the Govt. I am all for helping those that are destitute but we should ecourage them to help themselves in the first place and penalise the scroungers.
What exactly it is that we have running our government? The country is $1.2 billion in debt and the leader of the country is uttering such foolishness.
Am I to assume that all the PM care about is having some money to keep him in office by sustaining the yes we care and needy kid center. Is that what is most important to the Dominican economy at this point. People need jobs, social security need the revunue stream, the government need revenue. The PM need to snap out of this dream and realize that the money he got from Venezuela, Lybia and China were all charitable gifts that were not meant to keep on giving. The PM had the best jump start and he and his government blew it away. If the PM and this government were truly capable these gifts would have been used to elevate the economy of Dominica. Instead what we have seen is the worse economy ever.
A couple weeks ago you floated the idea of raising taxes stating there was a case for it but never mentioned what that case was. I believe you just sounded the alarm to observe the response. Great psychological move
Today you claim over 100million in unpaid taxes. It means two things. We either have a broken tax system or the ministry of finance, who i assume is responsible for taxes is not doing a good job. This is what the government should have been focused on instead of going around building hotels and slaughterhouses competing with the private sector when the tax system is broken. Furthermore you have no financial background to be minister of finance. What do you expect. Now you looking for ways to make Dominicans pay more. Need i say more
you mean you want half of the money to campaign for election sir stop speaking parables please.
way papa the pm money finishing he not making enough money lol
Take it on their bank accounts…
Mr. PM quit the whining. You have the power to do something about it. What does the IRS in the US do to people who fail to pay or evade their taxes? Why would people voluntarily pay taxes if they know there will be no consequence for their action? You must think Dominica is populated by Mother Theresa’s children.
Of course you will not do what is necessary to collect the taxes because you know it will be unpopular. Of course for a person who likes to be loved, you will not do what is necessary but unpopular.
And why should they pay any taxes? You Ministers take whatever you want from the State.When man came to power they did not have their “LAPO BONDA” now man is MILLIONAIRE, have how many houses ,how many cars.They using Government resources and vehicles how ever and when ever they please. LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND THE MASSES WILL FOLLOW.SMDH.
dominicans living in DA have it too good.Check out the American way and they will find out what time it is.Do some research MR prime Minister.Publicize their name in the media or newspaper after several attempt to collect.
Wow. LOL, he top guy himself did not pay tax on his land so what you expect. Oh yeah, is a mistake the lawyer make. If he and all his cronies not paying their fair share and on top of that getting duty free on their rides, free kreole fest tickets. I mean yeah. No wonder. You just wicked like nuff Dominicans.
Calm down with your blasting of Dominicans re tax payment. Ask the PM to tell the truth of which business owe the taxers. Skerrit too like to front and stir excitement. One company owes almost 3/4 of that amount and there is an injunction against IRD to go after them. He will not publish the list, because it will be all the business places, Chinese and his cohorts that will be exposed. Skerrit layou was hot yesterday I will excuse you for that outburst. Gather yourself and come with a better statement. How can you even state in this crisis Dominica doesn’t need all the money that is owed?
How can Skerrit be both finance minister and Prime Minister? something is up with that.
He is also responsible for foreign relations. Isn’t that interesting?
ummm, only now you have found that out John?
Y are we so daft? Eugenia Charles was PM and Minister of Finance for all those years that the Freedom Party was in office. Will u give somebody to run your home for you?
It is always like this.
lollll. boy you dumb. retarded rofl
John.
Hello. If seems to me that any time I read about a Politician they are holding two or three positions. Then we also find that their wife, daughter or son also holds some other position within the Government. This type of cronyism must stop and its preventing our country from moving forward. This type of conduct and cronyism is causing many of us to leave Dominica and other countries are benefiting from our educated citizens.
Good afternoon sweet Dominica.
Hello based on this article it seems like the Prime Minister is also the Finance Minister. I have noticed that elected officials usually holds two or three position within the Government. Why can’t someone else be the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister only be the Prime Minister. Also are those people being paid separate salaries for each position. I find this kind of arrangement to be strange because they are taking a good job from someone.
Anyway on the tax collection issue. If the Tax Authorities notify our citizens that they owed such tax and after one or two consultations. The Government should put a lien against their property,ect, Home/Land or business. Then if they don’t pay their property should be auctioned in the following year for which they owed such tax.
it seems to me where ever u are u should visit ur country or correspond with ur family.the property is not own by the people is bank and government so what can u put lien on.
Hard Core Dcan.
Hello. Since I retired I have been visiting Dominica twice a year since 2009. Now my parents has two home on three acres of land in Dominica and every year they pay their taxes. My parent and aunt don’t have any mortgage on their homes therefore its not owned by any bank. If property is owned by the Government they aren’t going to charge themselves taxes but if its owned by the bank or our citizens then they must pay their taxes otherwise the Government should put a lien on the property. I am talking about the logical way things should work.
Tony, I understand, You are talking about “logical” but we are dealing with Dominica here, a third world country according to Hon. Julius Timothy Didn’t you see the demonstration in Grandbay against the bishop last week? And you’re talking about logical? You should know better. We are regressing I’m afraid. A great pity but so it is.
Do you honestly believe that your PM would put a lein against his friends property I would suggest you wake up by the way the roll of the PM is to reach out to other Countries or Agencies that are about board to solicit funding to help develope the island but when he gets it he shouldnt be the person to touch it
Nimby.
Hi are you telling me that’s its ok for the Prime Minister to hold two very important positions. The Finance Minister should have an Accounting Degree or a Degree in Finance and that person should be appointed by the Prime Minister. In that way that person wouldn’t have to worry about being elected or re-elected then they can go after people who aren’t paying their taxes.
so where government getting money to pay all that loan they taking?
Simple. With another loan.
I do agree that people must pay their taxes. I do have some questions though.
Why it s that the injunction filed by the awyer of a certain company against Inland Revenue charges is held up in the courts for many many years nice the DLP under Roosevelt Skerrit. If you think ah lie check the court records.
What about the deliberate rigging of the state taxes by a certain lawyer. The evidence is in registry for all to see. Land purchase value and taxes paid by that lawyer on behalf of a certain politician is a blatant tax evasion act.
By the way the $91 K duty free infinity would have covered a hole in the impoverished economy.
The people selling our passports , their agents etc are they paying the true taxes? Jst asking.
What about the Chinese are they paying soak security and the taxes?
Good Luck collecting the taxes owed when the economy is is running on rims. People lready don’t have disposable income and the people pay more than their fair share of VAT let us see how that works.
Let us see the government go after the business places for taxes cause when you go after one you must go after all and I certainly hope that the one with injunction files again Inland Revenue will be included.
Who is next ? The fishermen , farmers ? Yo pa ca fen largent – only if you want blood from stone. Things are very bad.
The truckers – ask the truckers on the government road project when last they got paid. Since last year November?
Public Work employees? Cyan get paid.
The higher the monkey climb is the more it exposes it’s behind and show it’s real capability.
Now u realize Dominicans paying your salary!
But who to pay..SORT…because you pay yours already…go pay you VAT if you know what good for you.
I will not call You a hypocrite just because DNO might delete my comment but it certainly is hypocritical on Your part to create jobs for Chinese and their businesses and try to squeeze taxes from Dominicans whose businesses are failing !STUPES!
Well said, Very well said.
Mr PM, one of ur campaign promises was an increase in minimum wage……what happen to dat? what about de Employment Agency? Further, how much DEBT DOES DE STATE OWE!!!!!!!!
U really think all taxes can pay with people going to ur Red Clinic to get money for food to feed their children and to pay their bills?????
NO DOMINICAN SKILLED WORKERS allowed on Chinese projects and u expect taxes to pay???????
Why is at dat forum u decide to make such statements………u forget Layou and St. Joseph are one of de poorest communities since Labour came in office???????
Come for my vote nuh if u think u bad
Every CITIZEN of this country have a RIGHT to DEMAND better ROADS and GOVERNMENT SERVICE………if u cant to de job of de people………..GET OUT!!!!!!!
because when they give Dominicans a 1 day job they take 4 days to complete it and still untidy, then you still have to get someone to tidy it up.
Mudd…are u a dominican or living here? Your name suggests your thinking
Boss u full of u know what!!!!!!
UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY TAXES!!!!!
But you see Dissident. That is the clever thing about VAT. Even if you have no regular income to pay income tax Govt. will still catch you with 15% on everything you buy.
***WE DON”T NEED THE MONEY***
Mr. PM are you really thinking of what you’re saying????? This is really madness now!!
“Our citizens owe the state $156 million in taxes. I don’t even need the $156-million …. give me half of it and we will be able to address a number of issues that is affecting the people,” he said,
……………..
What exactly I’m I really reading here.
Dominica/the citizens does not need all the money owed?????
Should citizens pay what we “feel like” or should we pay what is really owed???
Then, with this attitude Mr.PM they have no “need” to pay.
-Thanks
Check with your mouth piece who has a high court injunction filed so that the inland revenue department cant go into their account for taxes owed to the state. ASTAPHANS
stupes skerrit.. all them chinesse u have enjoy our taxes and not contributing, theey get duty free, their businesses are not registered, they dont contribute to taxes nor social security.. i doh blame the chiness eno cuz if i get the benefit i would be happy to. i blame u skerrit.. that is if dominicans really owe all that money, or u just realize u cyah pay back them chinesse loan so u coming up with a new strategy, or u no is fail the country failing so u want us to believe that becuz we dont pay our taxes the country failing.. man grow the hell up, you are the head of the country, take responsibilty , if persons doh want to pay send them jail. dont sit around on ur but and expect things to come your way..
What about the BIG business in Roseau with the well known lawyer that have an injunction on IRS evading tax. Tell the PM start there and the rest will follow cause it contribute to a significant part of the total
if the government wanted their money they would take it already or send those people to jail.
it is of my opinion (and i maybe wrong) that the peoples owing these large sums or dollars are ppl who PM scared to go behind…like the hotels and the big surnames AND THE CHINESE
Tackle dem PM. A little kayi like me is making an effort to pay wen I am owing which marvels the department, and d big dolphins and dem swiming away they wicked and they who have more to say wen they escape taxes for yrs and still looking for developments. Take dem to court and show their faces
well the pm should know what to do take the land and house from they and sell it for people that have their money in hand. to much politic that is what is happening . pm have confidence in your self and take the right measure to collect our taxes,
P.M. why be so soft on collecting tax?
– publish the names of people/ companies owing tax.
– take some to court to set an example and seize their assets if necessary.
I would support you in that but at the same time, be consequent and also settle the Govts. own debts on time. Good luck Sir.
shame shame shame …and they they will blast the PM and say he not doing anything for the development of DOminica…frighten, Jail a few and youll see if they wouldnt pay, wicked Dominicans
nonsense you talking, tell the pm lower the taxes and collect . do not come crying to us when he should be collecting. do his job and do it fairly, leave out politics. stop giving some and others crannana. it is our pm not yours or theirs.
so true and they want every thing done pay up allu taxes little as it is we need medication to save our people roads to drive on schools to educate our future leaders monies to pay nurses doctors teachers police and the list goes and YES i payed am not owning a dine.
Good for you becuase you maybe get hand outs while a lot of people dont have a job one cannot give what they dont have.
Are chinese businesses paying all there taxes?
Regardless..the state is owed $106 Million….so call out everybody dude
Those without sin must throw the first stone.
Why are you throwing stone catapolist?
How easily we forget. It took Matt Peltier to have certain people come forward and pay the tresury.As if that was not shameful enough the Gabage can bobol followed.
Who the cap fit let em wear it.
Are you paying yours….dont be so upset that other people clear their debt….you as a so called “patriot” should be calling people to come clean with the state….businesses as well as individuals.
Banks across Dominica scared to give loans….to many bad debtors outthere…be a Patriot in all form…not juxt an opposition patrio
Damn this ipad with all these typo…I missed my real PC
>Buying an NSA equipped Apple product
>2012+1
So now you want the world to know you can afford an Ipad? Drop your pride IPO and invest in a pair of reading glasses instead. it is easier and cheaper.
Remind them Please .The Famous Lawyer say is a mistake he made.
Sacre gasse!
That’s Dominicans for you…and they complain. Thye do not realise that taxes are essential to every economy
15% VAT still in place!! The cost of living in Dominica is ridiculous! Yes every economy needs revenue!!! Taxes are just an avenue that should be seldom utilized by Governments. The Government of Dominica needs to seek alternative sources of revenue and stop milking the poor people! I agree that the people who incurred the 156 Mil pay their debt but don’t generalize and say Dominicans…its arrogant on both you and the PM part!