Andrew Munnings Explains $183k Debt to GOB

Andrew Munnings, owner of Munnings Funeral Services, is defending his business after it appeared on the Belize Tax Service Department’s latest list of tax defaulters. According to the published notice, Munnings Funeral Services owes $183,209.91 in outstanding taxes.

In a social media post, Munnings described what he called an unfair system burdening small businesses. He said he has been in ongoing court proceedings with the department and currently pays $2,000 monthly without default.

“The legal stress and financial blockage I had to went through to try and fight you all to make you understand, and still you refuse to is no joke,” he said.

Munnings also criticised the Belize Tax Service for delays in issuing refunds to taxpayers who have filed and are owed returns, stating, “Belize Tax Service posting who owes them taxes, but I don’t see their name on the list… How many people haven’t received their payment from you all?”

According to Munnings, his five-year-old business outsources over “90% of its products and services,” and he argued that the $200,000 tax bill does not reflect his actual earnings.

“ALL BUSINESS MUST PAY TAX, AGREED! But don’t take advantage of businesses who are willing to work with you,” he stated. “I cannot pay $200,000 in back-tax… tax that I haven’t collected.”

“You have threatened jail time and the closure of my business…. It is a sad system without any motivation to own or build in this country,” Munnings added. “When we charge a family $5,000, please understand that $5,000 is not Andrew Munnings’ profit. I make my profit from consulting, directing and executing.”

Several other well-known entities were named in the list, including Black Pearl Restaurant in San Pedro ($477,925.82), Bosco Supermarket ($260,669.01), The Reporter Press ($127,384.35), Elrington & Company Limited ($100,508.90), J & B’s Security Service ($462,348.71), amongst others.

The outstanding amounts range from just over $1,600 to several million dollars and, in many instances, include unpaid Business Tax, General Sales Tax (GST), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and employee income tax.