By Omar Anderson, Gleaner WriterTHE GOVERNMENT is drafting legislation to prevent or reduce the frequency with which Government agencies pile-up and withhold millions of dollars in income tax deductions.
Senate Leader Burchell Whiteman, who tabled a bill last Thursday that will see persons paying up to $100,000 in fines or sent to prison for up to two years for making or helping to make false income tax declarations, was responding to concerns from Opposition Senator Bruce Golding.
LET OFF THE HOOK
Mr. Golding had charged that Government agencies were being let off the hook while citizens were being penalised when they do not pay their income tax in the specified time.
"I am aware of the concern of delinquencies on the part of Government agencies. The Government is very aware of this matter and has initiated steps at the Cabinet level to prevent or substantially minimise the occurrence of that type of delinquency," Senator Whiteman told the sitting.
While refusing to elaborate on the proposed legislation, the Government Senator said when implemented, it would "remove the discretion which people have to be delinquent."
In tabling the bill, Senator Whiteman explained that the legislation sought to increase the fines and penalties to more realistic levels in keeping with the value of money.
Meanwhile, the Senate also passed the bill, An Act to Amend the Customs Act, which will see persons guilty of evading customs duties being liable to face up to $100,000 in fines or being imprisoned for up to three years.
Senator Whiteman, who also introduced the bill, said the existing fines were not a deterrent to those who seek to evade customs duties. He added that the increased fines and penalties were in keeping with the value of money.
The Opposition supported the bill but Mr. Golding noted that revenue collection was only one way to enforce the Customs Act. He proposed that a joint select committee be convened in the new parliamentary year to examine the operation of the island's ports.
