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Paul Burke hauled before the court for unpaid taxes
Wednesday, 05 March 2008
As the government steps up its drive against alleged tax dodgers, People's National Party (PNP) activist Paul Burke is the latest businessman to be hauled before the Tax Court.
Mr. Burke was arrested on a warrant this morning by the police and officials of the Inland Revenue Department.
Mr. Burke was taken before senior magistrate Owen Parkins at the Sutton Street Tax Court where he was offered $100,000 bail.
The Tax Department claims that Mr. Burke owes the government more than $40 million in outstanding General Consumption Tax (GCT), Income Tax and Education Tax related to his security company.
He is scheduled to return to court on March 25.
Mr. Burke is the latest businessman to feel the iron claws of the tax department.
On Tuesday six business operators were arrested on warrants and taken before the Tax Court.
The six reportedly owe the state a collective $40 million in taxes.
The crack-down on the business sector forms part of the government's effort to collect billions of dollars owed in taxes.
Director of Public Relations at the Tax Administration Services
Department, Meris Haughton, says the focus will remain on persons who owe taxes for extended periods.
Shortly after it took office last September, the Bruce Golding led administration said it would be going after tax dodgers who owe billions. Finance Minister Audley Shaw said the latest initiative is aimed at plugging a 15 billion dollar gap in the 2007/2008 Budget. In the meantime, Mr. Burke is blaming his accountant for his arrest.
He told the RJR News Centre that he was not aware that the Tax Court had issued a warrant for his arrest in January.
He said he has been paying his taxes, but admits that he still owes the government.
"Yes we do have some outstanding arrears but we have always paid so we are not in front of the court for evasion. The truth is that I was on leave until October 1 last year for a three year period," said Mr. Burke.
"I came back and went through with my accountant and there has been a warrant out for me from the 19th of January my accountant told me that it was ok, we had made arrangements and on the 19th of February we had paid a substantial amount and we were renewing our tax compliant certificate,"
"Even this morning after seeing some people dragged before the court I asked him if everything is alright with Ultra Protection Limited and he said yes," he continued.
Wednesday, 05 March 2008
As the government steps up its drive against alleged tax dodgers, People's National Party (PNP) activist Paul Burke is the latest businessman to be hauled before the Tax Court.
Mr. Burke was arrested on a warrant this morning by the police and officials of the Inland Revenue Department.
Mr. Burke was taken before senior magistrate Owen Parkins at the Sutton Street Tax Court where he was offered $100,000 bail.
The Tax Department claims that Mr. Burke owes the government more than $40 million in outstanding General Consumption Tax (GCT), Income Tax and Education Tax related to his security company.
He is scheduled to return to court on March 25.
Mr. Burke is the latest businessman to feel the iron claws of the tax department.
On Tuesday six business operators were arrested on warrants and taken before the Tax Court.
The six reportedly owe the state a collective $40 million in taxes.
The crack-down on the business sector forms part of the government's effort to collect billions of dollars owed in taxes.
Director of Public Relations at the Tax Administration Services
Department, Meris Haughton, says the focus will remain on persons who owe taxes for extended periods.
Shortly after it took office last September, the Bruce Golding led administration said it would be going after tax dodgers who owe billions. Finance Minister Audley Shaw said the latest initiative is aimed at plugging a 15 billion dollar gap in the 2007/2008 Budget. In the meantime, Mr. Burke is blaming his accountant for his arrest.
He told the RJR News Centre that he was not aware that the Tax Court had issued a warrant for his arrest in January.
He said he has been paying his taxes, but admits that he still owes the government.
"Yes we do have some outstanding arrears but we have always paid so we are not in front of the court for evasion. The truth is that I was on leave until October 1 last year for a three year period," said Mr. Burke.
"I came back and went through with my accountant and there has been a warrant out for me from the 19th of January my accountant told me that it was ok, we had made arrangements and on the 19th of February we had paid a substantial amount and we were renewing our tax compliant certificate,"
"Even this morning after seeing some people dragged before the court I asked him if everything is alright with Ultra Protection Limited and he said yes," he continued.
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