PM Briceño: Tax Defaulters List Should Not Have Been Made Public

Prime Minister John Briceño said that it is “unfortunate” that the Belize Tax Service made the names of tax defaulters public. He said, “I am speaking for myself. It should not have been made public. We should have continued working with them.”

On Tuesday, BTS Director General Michelle Longsworth said the move was supported by law under Section 64A of the Tax Administration and Procedure Act. But Briceño believes the action was unnecessary.

He said many small businesses face tax problems simply because they don’t understand how to file correctly.

“We cannot write off taxes. It is only the National Assembly. But how do we help? We will try to negotiate with the Belize Tax Service to try to lower the interest or the penalties to make it more affordable,” he said.

The Prime Minister also pushed back against the claim that his administration’s tax approach is anti-business.

“We do not want to get anybody out of business. We want more businesses and entrepreneurs. That is why we have been working closely with BELTRAIDE for them to be able to thrive in this economy,” Briceño said.