Well the Jamaican Tax Administration which was probably looking forward to gaining Jamaican dollar (JMD) $47 million in their coffers today, were surely disappointed.
It just so happens that they did not observe the correct procedures in serving notice re outstanding taxes, on renown Jamaican Dancehall Artist, Beenie Man (Moses Davis).
When all parties appeared in Tax Court today, and judge Owen Parkin learned of the faux paus, he threw the case out...
The Tax Administration, the tax regulatory arm of the Jamaican government, does have the opportunity to serve the notice properly.
[Beenie Man has been accused of not paying income taxes amounting to JMD $47 million ($28 million in actual back-taxes and JMD $19 million in penalties) from the late 1990s' to early 2000.]
Beenie Man contends that it was his management team at the time, Shocking Vibes, who were responsible for paying his taxes and not him.
Well, we hope for Jamaica's sake, that the Tax Administration will make use of the knowledgeable and experienced tax lawyers they have at their disposal to get it right the next time around, as the country is in dire need of those taxes.
One wonders how many other tax "evaders" have been allowed to slip out of their hands...due to incorrect notice-serving procedures.
Hmmmmh?!!?
Gillian
Sources Include
1) Power 106 FM, September 30, 2008
2) Article, "Beenie Man wins tax case", Go-Jamaica News, September 30, 2008
