The tax department Monday acted on its threat to step up efforts to collect outstanding revenue.
The Special Enforcement Unit from the Inland Revenue Department swooped down on popular used car dealer, Mack D's auto sales in Kingston and seized several vehicles.
The team on Monday morning went to the Mack D's lot on Old Hope road intent on collecting monies owed to the government.
The officials did not reveal the dollar figure and were only prepared to say that the company owed a substantial sum.
Head of the Enforcement Unit Gladstone Turner told our news centre that when no money was forthcoming several vehicles were seized.
"The taxpayer owes a tremendous amount of money for taxes; they seem to defer the payment of taxes. This morning we went with a view to collect more of the taxes and when that wasn't forthcoming we had to make a decision although it was last resort. We had to resort to taking some assets in order to recover the outstanding taxes," Mr. Turner said.
The officials from the unit said the vehicles seized are owned by the tax payer involved.
Mr. Turner added that other vehicles on the compound were inspected but when the records were examined it was discovered that they were registered to another company.
Eight high-end vehicles, including a Mercedes Benz, were taken away to the pound.
However, the Special Enforcement Unit said the vehicles will not cover the outstanding monies owed by Mack D's.
Mr. Turner noted that the auto sales company has a short window within which to settle the outstanding amounts.
"If they are not redeemed within ten days then we will seek to dispose of them and that will only pay down a part of the liability, so you can imagine how much money we are talking about," he said.
The team members have expressed hope of an amicable solution with the proprietors of Mack D's.
Over the past few months, the Inland Revenue Department has increased efforts to clamp down on delinquent taxpayers.
In addition to seizing assets, the tax department has also placed stop orders on delinquent tax payers to prevent them from leaving the country.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/26175/26/
The Special Enforcement Unit from the Inland Revenue Department swooped down on popular used car dealer, Mack D's auto sales in Kingston and seized several vehicles.
The team on Monday morning went to the Mack D's lot on Old Hope road intent on collecting monies owed to the government.
The officials did not reveal the dollar figure and were only prepared to say that the company owed a substantial sum.
Head of the Enforcement Unit Gladstone Turner told our news centre that when no money was forthcoming several vehicles were seized.
"The taxpayer owes a tremendous amount of money for taxes; they seem to defer the payment of taxes. This morning we went with a view to collect more of the taxes and when that wasn't forthcoming we had to make a decision although it was last resort. We had to resort to taking some assets in order to recover the outstanding taxes," Mr. Turner said.
The officials from the unit said the vehicles seized are owned by the tax payer involved.
Mr. Turner added that other vehicles on the compound were inspected but when the records were examined it was discovered that they were registered to another company.
Eight high-end vehicles, including a Mercedes Benz, were taken away to the pound.
However, the Special Enforcement Unit said the vehicles will not cover the outstanding monies owed by Mack D's.
Mr. Turner noted that the auto sales company has a short window within which to settle the outstanding amounts.
"If they are not redeemed within ten days then we will seek to dispose of them and that will only pay down a part of the liability, so you can imagine how much money we are talking about," he said.
The team members have expressed hope of an amicable solution with the proprietors of Mack D's.
Over the past few months, the Inland Revenue Department has increased efforts to clamp down on delinquent taxpayers.
In addition to seizing assets, the tax department has also placed stop orders on delinquent tax payers to prevent them from leaving the country.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/26175/26/
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