PHILIPSBURG:--- The Inspectorate of Taxes reminds the public that the deadline to submit the 2025 Income Tax Return Form is Monday, June 1, 2026. Taxpayers must file their tax return forms in person at the front office of the Tax Administration during office hours, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Taxpayers are encouraged to file early to avoid long lines.

The 2025 Income Tax Return Forms A and B can be accessed via the Tax Administration’s website (www.tax.sx) or through the online services portal at onlineservices.sintmaartengov.org. While forms may be downloaded online, submissions cannot be made online or via email and must be submitted physically to the Tax Administration.

Taxpayers are reminded to bring a copy of their completed tax return form for stamping as proof of receipt upon submission. Persons unable to file by the deadline may submit an extension request by Monday, June 1, 2026, accompanied by a valid reason. Income Tax extension requests must be submitted individually, as bulk or blanket requests for multiple taxpayers will not be accepted. Married couples are required to jointly submit one tax return form.

For more information or assistance, please contact the Tax Administration by telephone at 542-2143, 542-3782, 542-3839, or 542-3840, via WhatsApp at 556-3699, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PHILIPSBURG:---  In the State of Law Enforcement 2025, the Council outlines the most important overarching developments within law enforcement. The Council does this for the Caribbean Netherlands, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. The State of Law Enforcement for Sint Maarten was presented to the Minister of Justice and the Parliament of Sint Maarten at the end of April. From the perspective of cooperation and mutual obligations, topics such as the safeguarding of human rights, forensic care, data protection, and the citizen’s perspective are discussed. In addition, the Council reflects on its findings, activities, and exercises its authority to issue notifications regarding human rights compliance.

 Citizen Perspective

Law enforcement and the administration of justice are among the government’s core tasks for protecting the safety of individual citizens and society as a whole. In doing so, significant resources may be deployed and measures taken that profoundly impact citizens. The citizen’s perspective means that citizens must be able to trust that the justice system acts fairly and adheres to the rules; if this is not the case, organizations must identify and correct such issues. The Council’s inspections monitor this compliance and, where necessary, make recommendations for improvement.

 Safeguarding human rights

The Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands forms the framework for the core values of the democratic constitutional state. Each of the countries within the Kingdom is independently responsible for ensuring the realization of human rights, legal certainty, and good governance, while the Kingdom as a whole is responsible for safeguarding these values. This safeguarding function can be achieved through instruments used by the Kingdom Government. Another possibility is more intensive cooperation between the countries.

 Notification to Parliament and the Council of Ministers

The Council has been inspecting the prison system in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom since 2013. Furthermore, at the JVO's request, the Council has been monitoring the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) for over 10 years.

The lack of (partial) follow-up (on some of the recommendations) has been a recurring issue for years. In June 2025, the Council sounded the alarm. For the first time in its history, it exercised its authority to issue a notification pursuant to Article 32 of the Kingdom Act Law Enforcement Council to the Parliament of Sint Maarten as well as the Kingdom Council of Ministers.

The Council asserts that the serious, life-threatening crisis (riot and fire) at the Point Blanche prison in May 2025 was in part caused by years of structural negligence and the systematic failure to follow up on its recommendations. It urges a decisive, comprehensive approach with measures to guarantee the safety and human rights of everyone in the prison. It also calls on those responsible to maintain their focus on the still vulnerable and high-risk detention conditions.

 A solution-oriented approach for Law Enforcement in Sint Maarten

To ensure that law enforcement functions properly in a democratic constitutional state and to safeguard fundamental rights, legal certainty, and good governance, multiple actions are required. This calls for a holistic, broad government strategy that involves country-transcending cooperation, shared responsibility for persistent structural problems, and clear prioritization. The Council believes that the best approach to a solution lies in more intensive cooperation within and between the countries.

 Submission of the report and response

As in previous States, the Council once again highlights the responsibilities of Parliament as well as the Minister of Justice. This is because, for many years, the Council’s reports on Sint Maarten have not been submitted to Parliament with a response or have not been submitted consistently in accordance with the Kingdom Act Law Enforcement Council.

 Resilience of justice personnel

The Council also reiterates its call to give specific attention to the physical and mental resilience of justice personnel. Employees work day and night to ensure everyone’s safety. This is despite the fact that the necessary conditions are often not met, or the resources required to safely carry out their work are not made available. The Council notes that, even in 2025, employees within the justice system continue to dedicate themselves daily to a safer society and expresses its gratitude for this.

Council Website

The States of Law Enforcement for Sint Maarten 2025 (available in Dutch and English with an infographic), Caribbean Netherlands 2025, and Curaçao 2025, as well as all other Council publications, are available digitally on the Council’s website: https://www.raadrh.com/

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) held a special ceremony at the Police Station to recognize and honor several officers and detectives who successfully completed various professional training programs.

During the ceremony, several KPSM officers and members of the National Detectives received their certificates as Hulp-Officier van Justitie (Acting-Prosecutors), marking an important milestone in their professional development and strengthening the organization's law enforcement capacity.

Certificates were also awarded to three officers who successfully completed the OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) training.
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) is the practice of collecting and analyzing publicly available data such as website registries, public records, and social media footprints to generate actionable intelligence. It is a critical tool used globally by law enforcement, cybersecurity professionals, and journalists to identify digital risks, track threats, and solve complex investigations legally and ethically.

In addition, several detective officers received certificates after successfully completing the Case File Preparation Training (Dossier Vorming).

The ceremony was attended by representatives and personnel of the Prosecutor’s Office, members of KPSM management, fellow officers, invited guests, and other personnel who gathered to support and recognize the achievements of their colleagues.

KPSM extends its sincere appreciation to the coordinators and organizers who made these training opportunities possible, particularly ORV, led by Director Drs. Ms. A. Falbru, and her delegation from the institute in Curaçao, who attended the ceremony. Special thanks are also extended to the College van Korpschefs (Board of Chiefs of Police) for their continued support and contribution in making many of these training initiatives possible.

KPSM recognizes that ongoing education and training remain essential to maintaining a professional and capable police organization and enhancing service to the community.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten congratulates all officers and detectives who successfully completed these training programs and wishes them continued success in their careers.

BONAIRE:--- From May 11 to 19, Aruban and Curaçaoan troops participated in the annual exercise Caribbean Strike, held this year on Bonaire. During this intensive training, the troops practiced together in a realistic platoon-level scenario.
The troops trained on challenging terrain in high temperatures. Here, various military assignments were carried out, both during the day and at night. The troops practiced, amongst other things, with ambushes, reconnaissance patrols, attacks, and actions to make contact with an opponent.
The exercise was led by a combined company staff of Aruban and Curaçaoan troops. During Caribbean Strike, the troops further developed their physical and mental resilience, perseverance, and tactical skills.
Caribbean Strike is an important part of the ongoing development of Caribbean troops. Through this exercise, they strengthen their cooperation, professionalism, and readiness for future operations.