By Lesroy W. Williams Observer Reporter
” (Basseterre, St.Kitts)”In the face of a two billion dollar national debt and a global economic crisis, Finance Minister, Dr. Timothy Harris, has issued a call to those owing taxes to the government to pay up. The Finance Minister’s call came at a press conference on October 2 attended by government officials working in the Ministry of Finance, International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to brief the Federation on current issues pertaining to the economy. Wednesday Online Code for Issue # 729 is ISH “It is important that all persons indebted to the government make every effort to settle their indebtedness to the government or enter into arrangements to settle this indebtedness,” Dr. Harris said. Dr. Harris pointed out that in order for the government to provide essential services to the country it is important that it collects revenue in the form of taxes. “We are currently assessing the options for tax administration. We have a team of persons who will be working on that. We have received several reports and we are evaluating those. In the New Year, the process will take off and the public will be involved in the discussions on the way forward with respect to tax administration, Financial Secretary, Mrs. Janet Harris said. Information from the St.Kitts-Nevis Social Security Board reveals that employers in the Federation owe in excess of two hundred thousand dollars in social security payments.
