Philipsburg:--- Minister of Finance Roland Tuitt told reporters during the Council of Ministers' weekly press briefing on Wednesday that the CFT asked his Ministry for more information on the projected income in the 2013 budget. The Finance Minister said that the CFT asked for more information regarding the 20 million guilders the Government of St. Maarten projected in the area of tax compliance. Tuitt said that he is expected to make all the necessary clarifications the CFT requested by Friday. The Finance Minister said the BAP will send him a report on how they intend to deal with increase on tax compliance and he is now waiting for reports from the Island Receiver's and the Inspectors all of which will be forwarded to the CFT. Tuitt said with the three reports he would show that it is feasible for St. Maarten to collect the 20 million guilders projected in the budget. Another concern the CFT wants clarification on is the 20 million guilders that is projected on tobacco and alcohol taxation. Tuitt said he is awaiting a report from the reporters that would indicate how the increase tax on these two products will be implemented and documented which would make it feasible and realistic. The Finance Minister also said that the CFT forwarded a letter to the Kingdom Council of Ministers explaining them the current situation regarding the 2013 budget process on St. Maarten.
Minister Tuitt in his remarks said that it is often asked by members of the community during this time of the year what is the government doing for its people now that its Christmas. He said this year he is calling on all the unregistered businesses on the island to get their businesses registered so that they could give government a Christmas gift this year by paying their share of taxes.
