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The Belize Times
Established 1957
16 APRIL 2017 | ISSUE NO: 5041
The Truth Shall Make You Free
www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00
ALL 8,867 UP FOR GRABS AT THE ICJ…SAYS SEDI
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BCCI Demands Investigation into Alleged GST Scam BREAK THE CORRUPTION CHAIN TUESDAY, APRIL 11TH, 2017 - For Immediate ReleaseThe Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (“BCCI”) views with deep concern the recent revelations in the media regarding the alleged manipulation of General Sales Tax (“GST”) audit results by Management personnel at the Department of GST, as well as the apparent widespread facilitation by Police Officers in the transport of contraband of goods across the Belize/Mexico border. The BCCI calls on the Government to immediately launch a thorough, complete and transparent investigation into the allegations made by the GST Officer, particularly due to the mandatory and onerous nature of penalties imposed by the Court for failure to pay GST assessments. Any methodology used by the Department of GST in auditing businesses and making assessments must be uniform and fair to the taxpayer as well as the Government. While there is a need for government to increase revenue, the BCCI maintains that this should be done through the auditing of businesses that fail to pay any GST, and not by unfair practices directed towards those that comply. The BCCI calls for an impartial examination of procedures adopted by the Department of GST along with implementation of corrective measures so as to assure the business community of the objectivity and fairness of GST audits. This is imperative in order to restore stakeholders’ trust and confidence in the GST department.
MURDER
The BCCI also notes that while the Police Officers involved in the contraband of goods as shown on Channel 7’s newscast were charged for an “Act of Prejudice to Good Order and Discipline” and placed on interdiction, there is no mention that the statutorily prescribed fine of three times the value of the goods was levied against them. These officers were engaged in criminal activity and as such, we demand that they are subjected to the usual and full penalty that would be imposed against any other contrabandista. There can be no leniency when police officers are caught breaking the very laws they are sworn to uphold.
COUNT KEEPS RISING
Our nation’s economy is failing because of decades of corruption, not just by high officials, but also by those in the public sector whom we entrust with our socioeconomic wellbeing. Whether carried out by public official or private sector person or private citizen, contraband and other forms of corruption weaken our economy and our nation. Corruption and subjective application of rules are unacceptable in any society
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Tuesday, 11 April 2017 It is time to break the corruption chain and take our country back from those who would steal it, or sell it out for pennies! – BCCI Release, April 11, 2017 Is the Department of General Sales Tax perpetuating a massive scam to unfairly and illegally milk extra money from their registered agents? Is that another way in which the Government of Belize is trying to source much-needed revenue from already overburdened taxpayers? That is what the Belize Chamber of
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2017 44 DEAD
A BELIZE
THAT
WORKS!
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