PM Skerrit says most Dominicans don’t want to pay tax

taxPrime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has thanked the Government of China for assisting in developing the infrastructure of Dominica saying the majority of Dominicans don’t want to pay tax.

He was speaking at a signing ceremony for the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement for the China-aided West Coast Road post-Erika Rehabilitation Project on Thursday morning.

“And we should say without that kind of assistance our country would not be able to finance those infrastructure,” he stated. “Where would we get the US$40-million to build the hospital, where would we get the US$21-million to build the road when most of my country people do not want to pay tax?”

He went on to say that there are those with government taxes and “are withholding the taxes and sending this money to their foreign bank accounts or treating the tax money, which they are collecting on behalf for the state, as their personal resources.”

“And then they want better roads, and they want better facilities, they want scholarships for their children, they want houses, they want indoor playing facilities,” the Prime Minister said. “How do we finance these if you do not pay your taxes?”

He stated that many go to the United States and pay taxes without fuss.

“With no fuss whatsoever,” he said. “Some of us even ask the IRC, that’s all I owe? Can I pay more? But a small country like ours with limited fiscal space, we do not keep our commitment to our country and if we have friends like China who are demonstrating its commitment, its interest and its concerns for us here in Dominica, we have a greater responsibility as citizens and residents of this country to play our part in our continued efforts towards our sustainable development.”

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95 Comments

  1. Jack
    December 2, 2016

    How can u expect Dominicans to pays taxes when a pound of back and neck is more expensive than a man days pay?

  2. Tony
    November 27, 2016

    Hello and good morning my people. Well this is a devastating admission from our leader who’s also the Minister of Finance. He’s telling us that he do not have the ability to make sure that businesses who with holds taxes from their employees transfer that Money to the Government rather they are transferring the funds to their account held abroad. Sir I have a suggestion for you which is that you should hire an outside financial firm to audit the books of ……and if they find that they are under reporting their taxes then you should make an example of them. In that way other businesses and Government employees who’s using the money like it belongs to them will understand that they will be prosecuted. The Prime Minister shouldn’t be the Finance Minister rather this person should have a finance background or a CPA and be an independant agency who’s Appointed by the PM. We don’t have a large economy so we must make sure taxes are fully collected .

  3. November 26, 2016

    Christmas is coming some goose getting fat.

  4. Lang Mama
    November 26, 2016

    One merchant …. who is a party hack brought In 5 vehicles duty free f i realize example . One can go around the island and pick out hundreds of vehicles on the road that came duty free and d I don’t not qualify for duty free. I right off the bat know at least 12 and I know the vehicle owners personally. They are friends and relatives but the truth is what I believe in. Good for them but is it good for the country?

  5. Lang Mama
    November 26, 2016

    Is Skerrit now talking about Panama Papers declaration. Is he prepared to talk about those who made millions selling passports. Is he talking about the injunction in court for the company that cheated the country of due taxes. Is he talking about merchants sympathetic to Skerrit that hold back VAT because government can’t pay those vote buying material delivery.
    While are the people with offshore accounts? Smh. Who have been making that kind of money in Dominica. If you want credibility Skerrit start talking about hunting down those people with hidden accounts. Make one condemning statement about corruption and maybe you will get a little credibility.

  6. Lang Mama
    November 26, 2016

    Wow. DNO allow me to express my concern for the PM utterances.We have never been able to finanee our development needs and may never be able to do so but it b not because Dominicans don’t want to pay taxes.

  7. Nona your
    November 25, 2016

    It serves us Dominicans RIGHT! As a matter of fact, taxes should be automatically deducted from EVERYONE earning a salary. Follow America’s example PM. TAX US TO DEATH!! We will still vote you in again… Because we SOT and we love you no matter what!!

  8. Mr. Bobol Seeker
    November 25, 2016

    And Sir Skerritt, why should we pay taxes in the first place and to a person in charge like you?

    Who are you to tell us that we have to pay taxes?

  9. dominican always
    November 25, 2016

    what a tangled web roosevelt skerrit weaves ”dominicans don’t want to pay taxes” isn’t this the same finance minister who gave himself and his ministers a big tax break while pretending to help others isn’t it he who implement laws that no one earning under 25k a year pay no taxes let’s be honest how many of the working population earn 25k to be paying taxes that strategy was twofold one to give you and henchmen a huge tax break and two to maintain a level of poverty and undevelopment in the country thus keep the people dependant on your handouts

  10. jobs please
    November 25, 2016

    what next will this man vomit next over Dominican

  11. Frank Talker
    November 25, 2016

    If you know those who are withholding the State’s taxes, go after them nuh, instead of all this blah, blah, blah.
    So, ask again, Mr Roseau-velt, why do we run to pay our taxes in the USA and we hold it back in Dominica? Commission a study to reveal what we already know about accountability, nepotism, wastage and punitive governance..

  12. November 25, 2016

    The Punjab PhD has finally spoken the truth for the first time, but the question is whom is he referring to; Dr. the Red clinic people don’t pay TAX at all, created by your Chavezmo style of government. But the rest of us a willing to pay our taxes once we can get the services, but we require you to take those DLP political leaches off our backs. It was you who created the atmosphere of everything for free in Dominica; Free house; food; school; transportation; funeral; etc etc; therefore if you are not creating the atmosphere for job creation how then do you expect the few who are employed to pay more tax.

  13. Massacre
    November 25, 2016

    What kind of country is this? A leader running wild saying crazy things to have his populace dependent on him. No wonder the red clinic is flourishing . this madness have to stop so we can build our country .
    De Lazy Party most go!

    • Citizens of Dominica
      November 27, 2016

      He can say all these things because as CBI citizens have full voting rights, when, by 2018, they outnumber resident voting Domnicans, we, who live here are finished.

      WE MUST NOW DEMAND THAT CBI CITIZEND HAVE NO VOTING RIGHTS!!!!!!!

      IF WE DO NOT DO THIS, WE ARE FINISHED.

  14. Lessons
    November 25, 2016

    Waw!! Sad statement.

    All licensed drivers on the road pay an extra $100 Road Tax and the roads are worse than I’ve ever seen them before. Isn’t that a type of Tax???

    • The spiritual one
      November 25, 2016

      The road tax is not to maintain the road but to pay the loan skerrit took from private companies in China that Dominica and Dominicans know nothing about.

  15. Looking in
    November 25, 2016

    I agree with you Mr PM. Nobody wants to pay taxes, nobody. But by law we have to.
    It seems your conscience is beginning to beat you.people sending their monies to bank account overseas. …find out how long ASStaphans has an injunction for not paying/filing tax returns.
    All income are taxable, time for the reciepients of the red clinic dollar pay their fair share as well.

  16. Just Me
    November 25, 2016

    It good for us!!! We must take what we get. we too like freeness!!!!

    And Mr. Skerrit, comrade, continue to give duty free to all and sundry; encourage them to not pay tax and when you finish, suck it to them.!!!!!!

    • Agreed
      November 25, 2016

      “Just Me”, I fully agree with your comment but pressed “dislike” in error. Sorry.

  17. Outsider
    November 25, 2016

    It is the same situation all over the World: pay taxes! Why is this the only thing politician ever think on? How can be expected that 80.000 people can pay for a construction of road? Do they have jobs? And from my experience: when you tax people, after a while you want to tax them a little more, and then… and so on, and so on. At the end you can’t produce no Money without taxes.
    No politician thinks different. Taxes should be used for capital for earning public money (education – knowledge, using natural resources – selling electricity etc.)
    And at last: trust! Is there any honest politician? How much money will disappear?
    Those are resl issues to dissolve. And first one is: public work has to be voluntary. There must not be many jobs, which are not productive (make things – sell things). It can easily becamo situation, when 10 people produce Money for 1000. So, is it possible? Can you tax those ten to get money for a road?

  18. Freddy
    November 25, 2016

    Man this man make me lagh.. Man stop blaming the people for your incompetence and your inept government .. You people have sat there in office for 17 years now and have caused the country to produce nothing.. There is zero to no economic growth in that country.. All the differebt types of capital that are responsible for economic growth are not being invested in. Man u guys are a complete failure.. Nr skerite u have created an unstable macro economic environment that does not favor investment.. Together with yu
    Your currupt governance, you have distroyeed the fabric of this society.. And we the young people are holding u abd ur men accountable..

  19. November 25, 2016

    Get busy Sir…stimulate the economy in the right way…put folks back to work and taxes will flow..
    On the other hand…No lunch is free…Don’t ever think that the chinese are fools…I hope when they start to lay claims….I will stop at that….

    • Truth Be Told
      November 25, 2016

      As you know there are Dominicans who attended school from elementary. Some dropped out of school for whatever reason. Most of these may not have been able to obtain a job. Some never sought a job. Today, most of them are unemployed. This includes those who ended up taking drugs and made the streets their home.
      When people criticize and bash the government about not creating jobs, you must take the above into consideration that, it is not all the PM’s fault. It is unfair to blame him for the negligence of people. Each one is responsible for him/herself.
      Ask anyone who is unemployed about their past life. After you listen to them will you still blame the PM?.
      Many who criticize do nothing for the country.

  20. Skerrit, you should be ashamed to tell the world that a government, your government does not have sixty-one million dollars in the government treasury. A country which cannot afford $61,000,000.00 to do anything in a country, is indeed a bankrupt government, and in reality a bankrupt country!

    Roosevelt Skerrit there are individual people who have more than a hundred million dollars in their bank account. Example, about three years ago, a black American guy, a gospel singer gave the government of Jamaica a gift of sixty million dollars, if a little black boy have $60 MEG, to give to a government, you should wonder how many hundreds of millions of dollars this guy has in his bank account!

    You are a waste of time and money; one who spend more than thirty ($30,000,000.00) million dollarsfor an election less than five years ago should not open his mouth to talk such garbage, because thirty million is approximately half of what you are begging from the Chines…

    • Continue:

      Skerrit, I am sure that Dominicans are very much aware that a country cannot exists and rum without the citizens paying income tax, and property tax! The fact is simply this; no employment; for the people means no income tax can be collected. As for property tax, if an old person owns a bit of land and an old house on it without any source of income it would be unconscionable to demand property tax from the age and poor of the country!

      The Labor Party has no interest in getting the country industrialized, in order to create jobs, and employment, from which pay as you earn income can be collected; and people would be in a better position to pay property tax. Some may think that this is a boast, it is not: I can only talk from my personal business experience. I own a cries of rental buildings in Los Angeles, on one single building I pay to the County Tax Collector more than ten thousand dollars per year for that lone building, in one year, I pay more than a hundred…

      • Finally:

        I pay more than a hundred thousand dollars in property tax each year; that is the way it is in the more developed countries. The larger your house is in America in square footage; it is the more you pay in property tax, Canada and England it is the same.

        I am longing to say this; when to train your supporters to believe that because they support you they are above the law of the land; do you expect them to pay property tax, and any other tax required? When you encourage your supporters to sit on their backside and depend on you for a hand out to feed themselves, do expect them to pay tax from your handouts? Taxes are paid for money earned by working, or off the wining’s form a legitimate lottery!

        Time will tell Skerrit, your kingdom is crumbling out from under you boy!

  21. hmm
    November 24, 2016

    Just a bunch …. sick of these people. Greedy …. they are. Nothing more. By the time the merry red clinickers realize whats the deal it will be too late.

  22. The Thinker
    November 24, 2016

    Prime Minister states that business are collecting taxes?and NOT paying them into Goverment?
    He is minister of Finance so he instructs the IRC to collect the taxes,if they fail to complyCLOSE THE BUSINESS DOWN.
    END OF STORY.

  23. hmmm
    November 24, 2016

    If my salary was big enough to pay tax then fine. But when I as a trained teacher never becoming appointed and getting the same salary as people that never go teachers college get the little salary ay the end of the month is hand to mouth it going. And I still have to buy markers, pens, Bristol board, charts on that same money. Where does Mr PM expect me to get the money to pay tax??

  24. Visceraangel
    November 24, 2016

    Dominicans HAVE nothing because they are unwilling to GIVE anything…pretty basic math people.

  25. awa
    November 24, 2016

    When so many residents are on welfare how can they pay taxes?. We have been advocating for the exiting of people from the programme and to get them into employment and training programmes , but every month more and more beneficiaries are added to the already bloated list. Young able bodied men and women can work. Plese conduct an evaluation of all Social Protection Programmes with a view to removing some who are able to work and in return they can contribute in the form of taxes.

    • Truth Be Told
      November 25, 2016

      Have you ever wondered that they prefer getting a few dollars rather than register in the program which will eventually alleviate their present status? Getting money with no conditions can make them lazy.
      I do think there should be a condition for receiving money which should be mandatory. Make them register in the program you mentioned and give them the money as an allowance. It is done in Canada, especially in Toronto where I reside. In bygone years they received and could have stayed home. These days they do not get money for nothing. I believe this commenced some years ago when the government realized the expense of giving people benefits and they simply stayed home and received it year after year. Some were too idle.
      Today, the able people must seek employment and also register for some training course. This is what the PM should initiate. There is already the NEP. However, these others should train for some work. It s worth looking into.

      • Truth Be Told
        November 25, 2016

        Their monthly benefits were mailed to their residence. Today, with the paperless society, it would be deposited in their bank accounts.
        They were entitled to free dental services and medication. They will still receive them but, if unemployed, they must be in a training program. They were fortunate while the majority worked to pay the taxes. I work my guts out in this country paying taxes; so do other D/cans and some others. Much more could be stated about that. :)
        Today, those who are not yet retired or of retirement age and receiving this income must prove they are seeking employment and, as I stated register in a training program. They are no longer idle during the day. The government found a way and to save money to keep them busy, especially the lazy ones. :lol: It is to their future benefit.

  26. Block44
    November 24, 2016

    You all filling shame now that the pm say that .but for the first time he is speaking the truth.you all don,t want to pay attention in Dominica far more taxes.but we want nice things in the country.

  27. The Truth Be Told
    November 24, 2016

    People in all countries hate filing and paying taxes. There are tax evaders. I would think if they expect a refund they will file it on time. What is the system like in Dominica?
    PM, be strict with them. Give them a stipulated date to file their income tax return. If they fail to do so, telephone them. If this does not work, send them a letter informing them to file immediately. If this fails, call them in and ask them to bring their documents with them. Have one of your appointed staff help them in preparing it. Voila! Done! :lol:
    If they owe tax and fail to file on the stipulated time, they should pay a penalty which is interest accrued on amount owing until it is paid.
    Every year in the bigger countries taxes must be filed. I like to file mine on time and get it over and done with. When I am finished I say. Amen to that! :lol: It is a relief. I can relax.
    The longer people take to file their income tax return, the less interested they are.

    • viewsexpressed
      November 27, 2016

      Why are you so ignorant an blind like Skerrit to the laws in pursuing tax payment by all eligible to at. Skerrit has nothing to do so he makes up stories making the news which makes no sense he is unable to generate revenue and blind to innovations so he has to blame us Dominicans working hard while many are unemployment and dying for jobs to pay tax.
      Skerro, have y9u and your friends declared all yo9ur assets? We hope so.
      It is time this inept PM and corrupt Labour government go. They are hurting us

  28. viewsexpressed
    November 24, 2016

    Did I read right…..or is this a ^comic Skerro doctored script^. He went on to say that there are those with government taxes and “are withholding the taxes and sending this money to their foreign bank accounts or treating the tax money, which they are collecting on behalf for the state, as their personal resources.”

    Is this for real, or he is suffering from jet-lag. Thats what happens when you run away from the country blindly and talking rubbish on your return. Is he updated with his taxes,
    Please Dominicans get rid of this government.

  29. shardellia casimir
    November 24, 2016

    Stop giving on d government the man working say thanks God for him which prime minister that ever rule Dominica and thought of the elderly helping the homeless helping the poor what all want skerrit to do for allu stop talk nonsense the man helping everybody.

    • viewsexpressed
      November 27, 2016

      It is NOT the job of this inept PM Skerro to do what you are saying. That is Not how a government functions. Where are their families, where are the jobs. Too much handouts creating more poverty.

      Skerrit is a big Pappy show, hurting us. He know not how to develop a country

  30. Jon Jones
    November 24, 2016

    This man sounds totally on a different planet to the people he supposedly presides over.

    Do ordinary Dominicans know if the comissions on the passport money gets taxed? I wonder how many govt ministers have offshore accounts in tax havens? I do get a sense of the pot calling the kettle black here.

    A Government is meant to develop commerce and industry for its people and use the method of taxation (not to cripple but) to maintain the population’s environment and welfare. The absence of these two elements combined with cloak and dagger financed projects are not the signs of a well planned administration.

    If you create work for the people then you can talk about tax, but when there is no work or industry then you are simply insulting the population, including many of the very people who elected you.

    Such comments from a PM are disrespectful to the electorate and show no class. He sounds like he is more interested in impressing his paymasters.

    • Gary
      November 25, 2016

      What gross ignorance on your part to ask the question if the commissions on the passport money gets taxed, before writing such nonsense why don’t you understand the CBI program. The Government do not pay commissions for selling passports.

      I must tell you the concept you hold regarding the role of Government is somewhat a fallacy and it shows how little you comprehend.

      • Truth Be Told
        November 25, 2016

        Tell it to them, Gary. :lol: They just blab their mouths and then with their fingers on the keyboard. They do not comprehend what they state. To see that some are educated people. They have a misconception of how a government operates and this CBI program.
        If I do not know about something, I state nothing about it. Not they! They are too bent on criticizing and bashing the government. I believe some comment for the sake of commenting.
        I warn them about their adverse comments. One day they will pay a dear price for it.

      • Lang Mama
        November 26, 2016

        You condemn people’s opinion and pretend like you know but all you do is make blanket statements. If you understand how government operate the programs why don’t you demonstrate your knowledge and “pundit isms “

      • viewsexpressed
        November 27, 2016

        Gary, you seem to know much of Dominica, tell us, why is it that our country Dominica is not and has not been developing in the past 12 years. have you got the answer, or is when you put little politically ignorant boys to run big office the result is disaster.

  31. young and concerned
    November 24, 2016

    the cost of living he need to talk about bringing down not adding more taxes

    • Truth Be Told
      November 25, 2016

      Come and live in Canada. Taxes are going up and up. We are already told about some increased costs for 2017 with more to come and increased costs for services from all service Providers. As the years progress, it is a way of life we cannot avoid. God help us!
      Speaking of the country I reside in, a country really cannot operate without the taxes nationals pay. Yet, the government still borrows from abroad. I heard even the US owes China. Better acquaint yourself with outside politics and economy.

  32. Concerned
    November 24, 2016

    These words came from a Prime Minister? Awa shame shame

  33. blog
    November 24, 2016

    Oh my God!!!! What is he really saying. where is the country he leads getting money from if he does not get a hand out. He is not ashamed because he knows his audience. His laboure dummies who can’t think for themselves. … He has crippled the country’s capabilities of generating funds in all sectors, he is now hawckstering the country’s passport by the thousands and he come disgracing those same labourites. the faster your people get that in your thick heads the faster your will get rid of him, particularly those of you in the diaspora who sit and wait every 5years to pick up this man’s crumbs for go and implant him in the country. He is now telling you he is a dismal failure

  34. Diaspora
    November 24, 2016

    Well….everyone has to pay taxes….u can’t depend on others to do it for u….every country lays laws for taxes for their citizens….why should China people pay high taxes for Dominicans who chose not to want tax hikes……people help urselves before other to help

  35. November 24, 2016

    The leader of the country lacks vision, so what do you expect.

  36. Jonathan St Jean
    November 24, 2016

    Skerritt,you should be ashamed of yourself for those comments.I’ll tell you why.M most of the infrastructure on island have been financed by foreign assistance.This is nothing new.Did you have to disrespect Dominicans to the rest of the world with your half truths.Please provide the full picture so outsiders can know what is going on.As an economic terrorist,you killed the goose which laid the golden egg.Agriculture is in suspended animation.You said you were going to buy 2 boats to assist in export of agricultural products where are they.A large amount of the manufacturing which existed before you got to be PM have died.Tourism is marking time in place.Where are Dominicans going to get money to pay taxes when you yourself said that without CBI there would be enough revenue to run the country.Poverty is on the rise,the government is the only show in town,to the point of being lender of first resort to private business.You don’t have to throw the country under the bus to get aid

    • Gary
      November 25, 2016

      You have a right to express your opinions and concerns regarding how the Country is governed but when you are expressing your opinions, why do constantly make misleading statements as though they are factual, is this what you enjoy doing, wow. When you make the statement attributed to The PM quote “without CBI there would be enough revenue to run the country” wow, does this make any sense, did the PM really make such a statement.Here is an other statement from you quote “A large amount of the manufacturing which existed before you got to be PM have died” I would like you to list me the so called large manufacturing that existed at that time. Why would you say that Tourism is marking time in place. This statement is not based on facts,the industry has brought in more revenue ever than any other previous Governments before, that’s a fact, is agriculture in suspended animation, wow Why write lies and nonsense, guess it satisfies your political partisan appetite

      • November 26, 2016

        @Gary November 25, 2016

        This is powerful rebuke ; just tell them out! We are with you!

        These people need to stop speaking whatever they choose to speak, without profound facts. What is this about “poverty is on the rise” that is pure futility; in other words, the expression of death–there is no truth it those claims –oh gush man!

        The Prime Minister is speaking about the importance of contributing to economy through tax deduction, and yet all those large heads with no brains continue to bark at him, like stupid dogs.

        They are too stupid to understand that the Government cannot own every paying job in the country–create jobs; create jobs; and yet no one wants to start investing from their own pockets; but that is how a country economy can ever grow.

      • jonathan st jean
        November 26, 2016

        Hi Gary,thanks for recognizing that I have a constitutional right to free speech which I will never let be taken from me under Amy circumstances.You live in Dominica and know exactly what Skerritt said.Granted I made a typographical error,but you know that Skerritt said that without CIP he wouldn’t have enough money to run the country and will have to raise taxes.I’m sure you’ve seen typing errors before if you have read sufficiently and you will know what the writer means to say..Some of the manufacturing businesses which have closed include DCP,Paul’s Pasta,Candle Industries to name a few.Many small businesses have closed down under Skerrit’s administration.You may know that small businesses are the engine of growth and like infants need protection.You have to be a spin doctor,Gary,to post a response like that.The red clinic is the death clinic to development in Dominica

      • viewsexpressed
        November 27, 2016

        Where were when Skerrit publicly asks that \”where are we going to get revenue from outside the CBI programme?\”…
        Can you enlighten us as to what this joker was talking about.
        It means we have no revenue coming in apart from our taxes………little in tourism which is seasonal, if there s a season at all….
        Gary, where you sit, behave yourself please and look outside the window, tell me what ou see flourishing outside to bring in revenue, tax?

  37. karla is back
    November 24, 2016

    pay tax yes but is what they using the poor man tax dollar to do thats a disgrace skerrit come better than that boy

  38. free
    November 24, 2016

    So that’s the excuse he is giving. What a total shame. All your fault PM.

  39. Gwa Bay
    November 24, 2016

    Is not just tax alone. Dominicans don’t want to pay for anything. As far as they are concerned, everything should be free.

    • Kord Kapi
      November 24, 2016

      Isn’t it the government that Gwa Bay people have been voting for everlasting years, put Dominican in that begging state? Just look around and you will see how many people idle by tge road but run up to tge red clinjc and come out well care. Go to village councils and see how many able people lining up for free money during month end. You all too wicked

    • Me
      November 25, 2016

      That is why he established the red clinic, right?

    • viewsexpressed
      November 27, 2016

      We certainly will not pay to have Skerrit run this country again. He is a failure.

  40. November 24, 2016

    To be honest, though, who anywhere wants to pay tax? The worldwide desire for tax minimisation is the reason sales of Dominican citizenship are so robust, and why we have a modest international banking industry. It seems that if we’re capitalising on human nature we probably shouldn’t also complain about it.

  41. November 24, 2016

    Smh. Taxsation without representation is a sad thing. But taxsation with representation and transparency is a good thing. two things that are guaranteed in life, is Death!! and Taxes, Get with the Programe, The ways and means act dictates that some times taxes are necessary to ove the country forward. the sore point is not what you do but how you do what you do. Analize that.

  42. hmmm
    November 24, 2016

    :-o Mr. S acting like a Kardashian now, good or bad publicity is still publicity. The Chinee doh ask you all that.

    • Tjebe fort
      November 25, 2016

      Except that Kardashian has much nicer legs and bodo……!

  43. another voice
    November 24, 2016

    I remember from another story about a trip to Dubai published a few days ago, PM saying that from Dubai alone sales of economy citizenship passports bring over $200 million a year.
    to quote it: “Our guests were persons who helped to raise in excess of $200 million for Dominica last year”.

    so, these passport sales should be enough to deal with disaster recovery – specially as many more regions and countries are targeted. so, where is the problem? :wink:

    • Truth Be Told
      November 25, 2016

      Yes! And make you sit down and do nothing, eh.. :lol:

  44. just saying
    November 24, 2016

    true statement. i know for a fact i don’t want to pay tax.

    • Truth Be Told
      November 25, 2016

      This means you do not want to work or you are a tax evader. In the long run, will it make you happy and peaceful.
      You know, Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars. . .” So we are obligated to pay taxes as long as we are employed and operate a business. That is the Law of the land and the Law of God. Do not try to avoid it. It is called cheating the government, also your nationals. It is a crime and a sin.

  45. Trevor Fabien
    November 24, 2016

    ????I’ve got to laugh. It’s not only Dominicans who don’t want to pay taxes sir. That’s why we have countries like Luxembourg,Panama and Switzerland to name a few. No one wants to pay taxes,however in certain countries because the tax system is so well organised and robust,governments in those countries are able to recoup or recover taxes owed.
    The government needs to reform this antiquated tax of recovering taxes especially from the small businesses and stop making ridiculous statements about people not wanting to pay tax.

    The rich is evading tax because they can pay an army of accountants to find loopholes in the tax laws to transfer money and so they do. The ordinary workers amongst us have no choice and if we did we would certainly not pay tax,especially when we really can’t see where the monies are spent within the country.

    So you’re right PM,no one wants to pay tax but you must say this is the world over.

  46. ICG
    November 24, 2016

    Skerrit is an absolute failure. Time will tell.

  47. Delvin Castro
    November 24, 2016

    Skerrit need to resign, i am so excited with Donald Trump looking at Wilbur Ross as commerce secretary, Trump political affiliation is more Jefferson/Madison of yesterday instead of Reagan i am seeing good things for America because TRUMP putting AMERICA First. Skerrit is a loser and can never compare to President Trump. We need to drain the swamp, stamp out corruption, bring Dominica back to how it was in the 80\’s.

    • Truth Be Told
      November 25, 2016

      When he does they will appoint you and see how well you could run the country. :lol: :lol: :lol:

  48. Patriot
    November 24, 2016

    what about the passport money who is hiding it??

  49. thus far
    November 24, 2016

    what about the land taxes………….lead by example

  50. truth , shall set you free
    November 24, 2016

    JOKER, when you came in you met dominicans paying taxes,, taxes are what built dominica,and dominicans never had problems paying tax, why now?,We are just following the leader, you lead and the others follow , TAKE THAT

  51. natural dominican
    November 24, 2016

    sounds like a tax increase is coming Mr PM :( :(

  52. Pres_Donald_Trump
    November 24, 2016

    What do Dominicans get in return for paying all those taxes? Tell me Skerrit. You was in Dubai traveling first class, while the majority of Dominicans poor and hungry. You have not created any industry, absolutely no vision or direction, you destroyed Dominica.

    • Truth Be Told
      November 25, 2016

      Poor and hungry? Tell that to the poor of Calcutta, India, Africa and other third world countries. They do not have TV, phone, internet, computer and more.

  53. November 24, 2016

    That’s what happens when you kill the economy, people are living from hand to mouth
    Skerrit is a total failure

    • AP
      November 25, 2016

      And that makes him an “”Economic Terrorist””.

    • Truth Be Told
      November 25, 2016

      Some of you can exaggerate.

  54. Finbar
    November 24, 2016

    1) How does he know that most people don’t want to pay their taxes ? Is he a mind reader ? Has he done a census ? Some of us have no problem paying what we owe in taxes and social security.
    2) Presumably the example he is giving applies to someone he knows ? Well perhaps, but it does not apply to all.
    3) He’s just come back from a trip selling tax free citizenship.
    4) He is disparaging and insulting the country’s citizens (many of whom voted for him) in from of foreign dignitaries, which is both inappropriate and unprofessional.
    5) He arbitrarily taxes the out of us whenever we import goods from overseas, even if they are not produced here. But he doesn’t do that to the Chinese or to investors, all of whom enjoy either reduced or waived import duty.
    6) He taxes us every time we leave the country (departure tax)
    7) He taxes us an extra $100 for road maintenance. My road is by the way.
    8) He is the one who keeps raising the level of income tax allowance.

  55. derp
    November 24, 2016

    small country and you have some kind of crazy duties on imports, when you buying a car for $500 USD and you paying more than the car worth on taxes along, something not right

  56. Dominican
    November 24, 2016

    What a revelation! Has anyone ever volunteered to pay tax? Roosevelt Skerrit’s government advertises the virtues of Dominica for being free of capital gains- & inheritance tax and tax holidays for investors. Does Roosevelt Skerrit pay any tax on money he or his friends may hold in an offshore account in a tax haven? I know the country needs to raise taxes to cover its expenses but don’t expect people standing in line eager to pay their taxes. Their are accountants even here, who make a living advising people how to aboid paying tax and as S.C. woukl say, as long it is not illegal it is legal.

  57. Engineer
    November 24, 2016

    Skerrit stop all the blar blaring and take action. If not paying taxes is unconstitutional, then its a violation of law. File charges against those who owe taxes, and if they don’t respond to the charges, seize their property for taxes owed and sell to the public. that simple.

  58. Lisa Kuloksi, CBI Passport Holder
    November 24, 2016

    Dr. Skerritt, thanks for your illuminations. However, for transparency and as a new citizen of your amazing country, please help me explain this to my 4 year old:-

    2) How are we going to pay back the some $40M to the Chinese? There is no such thing as a free lunch. What did you have to do to get that kind of money from them? Will you/ have you published FULL audited accounts for the receipt and disbusrements of these funds? If these monies are loans, please publish the loan contracts and explain to us HOW we are going to pay back that money when everybody knows that Dominica is stone cold broke;

    Thank you Dr. Skerritt in advance of your posting here the kind answers to the above.

    Your avid supporter and fan!

  59. Analyst
    November 24, 2016

    “Where would we get the US$40-million to build the hospital, where would we get the US$21-million to build the road when most of my country people do not want to pay tax?” PASSPORT SALES.

  60. Analyst
    November 24, 2016

    Skerrit, please tell me who in their right minds want to pay taxes. The wealthy are evading taxes by investing outside of America., so tell me why the middle class and poor would choose to pay. Go figure.

    • Truth Be Told
      November 25, 2016

      They have no alternative but to pay. The same in other countries.

  61. Bumbble Lee
    November 24, 2016

    “Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has thanked the Government of China for assisting in developing the infrastructure of Dominica saying the majority of Dominicans don’t want to pay tax.” Because his Ad-Mini-stration is wasting our tax dollars and not coming clean and transparent with the tax payers!!! Why should anybody in Dominica want to throw away their money? Geemmee BRK. :twisted:

  62. May
    November 24, 2016

    China cashing in to we with the citizens life nothing is free in this world so pm tell us what we giving China in return

    • Bumbble Lee
      November 24, 2016

      The whole Country.

  63. lm
    November 24, 2016

    Are chinese businesses paying tax?

    • 'No Respector of Persons'
      November 25, 2016

      No, they are exempt

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