FIU Letter Puts Senator Dennison in Serious Legal Jeopardy!

Union Senator Glenfield Dennison is under mounting pressure tonight after a disputed invoice linked to talks between the Belize Communications Workers Union and BTL drew the attention of several authorities. The primary concern is that GST may have been charged by a company that wasn’t registered to collect it. But the issue has now grown. News Five has confirmed that the FIU has notified BTL that Dennison Consulting Limited is not registered as a Designated Non‑Financial Business and Profession, something required for attorneys operating in Belize. That raises the stakes and signals a possible wider financial probe. The Belize Tax Service says it hasn’t received a formal complaint yet, but officials warn that charging GST without proper registration is a serious offense that can carry fines, administrative penalties, or even jail time. They add that once red flags appear, multiple agencies, including the FIU, can get involved. Director General Michelle Longsworth says the department takes these breaches seriously and enforcement will follow if violations are confirmed.

 

Michelle Longsworth, Director General, Belize Tax Services Department

“So they are not registered to charge the GST. That is a whole other offense that is being committed there because under the GST Act, I believe GST Section 90, that there’s a summary conviction and they can be charged, I believe, up to $10,000 or be imprisoned for up to two years also if they are charging GST and not registered for GST. That is a serious offense. I believe further under the Tax Administration and Procedure Act, without going to court the Belize Tax Service can fine them an administrative penalty.”

 

Shane Williams

“And is the offense committed? Upon the process of submitting the invoice or after the transaction is completed.”

 

Michelle Longsworth

“On submitting the invoice, no taxpayer should submit an invoice charging GST if they are not registered for GST. That is the offense. I think that it is important for the public to understand that as the Belize Tax Services continues to strengthen our system to detect these types of activities where they are identified, BTSD will take all the necessary enforcement action that is required, including referral to the appropriate authorities. As I mentioned earlier, it may not be solely BTS, but it may be also FIU or other agencies that we collaborate with that can bring charges against these persons who are doing things that is not in line with our laws.”

 

Mounting scrutiny now surrounds Union Senator Glenfield Dennison as tax and financial regulators examine a disputed GST‑charged invoice that could open the door to a wider probe.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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