Government Introduces Bill to Create SARA
The Briceño administration has formally introduced legislation to establish the Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority (SARA). It was introduced today at the National Assembly as the Revenue Authority Bill.
According to Prime Minister John Briceño, the proposed body is a key step forward to modernising Belize’s tax administration without increasing taxes. Briceño said a review committee, including representatives from the Public Service Union, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, and the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, examined the draft legislation before it reached the House.
PM Briceño said the legislation is designed to improve the efficiency of tax administration while addressing longstanding challenges in recruiting and retaining specialised staff.
Recognising concerns from public officers, Briceño said employees affected by the transition would have three options: retire, apply to join the new authority or remain within the wider public service. Briceño said that accrued pension and retirement benefits would be protected.
Sponsored by: RF&G Insurance Ltd.: “It Pays to Get it Right”
“This bill gives public officers clear options. The purpose is not to diminish earned rights, but to build and obtain the special capacity Belize needs, while treating every officer fairly,” Briceño said.
He added, “And before anyone tries to be reckless, let me state, this bill does not increase taxes. It will not place a heavier burden on businesses and citizens already meeting their obligations. This bill seeks to make administration fairer, faster, more consistent, more effective and more efficient.”
The PM argued that the Belize Tax service currently faces recruitment delays, limited ability to deploy specialised skills, and an appraisal system not suited to results-driven work. Briceño said the reform isn’t a critique of existing staff. “This is in no way a criticism of our public service institution or our public service officers; rather, it recognises that revenue administration have particular skills that they need, as do other specialised public bodies such as the Central Bank of Belize and the Judiciary,” he said.
He said SARA would introduce a merit-based recruitment framework, clearer performance standards, and stronger staff development while remaining led by a qualified chief executive officer and a seven-member advisory board.
The bill will now proceed through the legislative process.