Attorney admits to delinquency in payment of taxes

Patrick Bailey , a well known attorney at law has admitted delinquency in payment of his taxes but says satisfactory arrangements have been made to clear the arrears.

Bailey was one of two prominent attorneys appearing on list of tax delinquents published in Monday’s edition of the Gleaner Newspaper.

“If you’re late in paying your taxes you are delinquent, now that the amount owed has been established, satisfactory arrangements have been made to have it settled. The matter was from about March this year and those arrangements are being honoured”.

He said he is satisfied with the assessment made by the tax authorities.

“When you get an assessment, you have a right to have it checked and if it’s incorrect and have it challenged. That procedure was done, I am now satisfied that the amount claimed was a reasonable amount because by accountant has so verified it” he added.

Clive Mulling, the other attorney former cabinet minister in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration, declined to give specifics about his case, only stating that he will be challenging the matter. 

A noted public servant  also listed among the delinquents is chairman of the south east Regional Health Authority Lyttleton "Tanny" Shirley and his wife Madge Shirley.

Efforts by RJR News to contact Shirley who is also a principal in Mitchell's Auto Supplies were unsuccessful. Mitchells Auto supplies was also hauled before the courts for failure to file and/or pay outstanding General Consumption Tax (GCT) company PAYE and Education Taxes.

A breakdown of the list showed that more than 50 delinquent individuals and companies were brought before the Courts for a total outstanding amount of J$3.5 billion to the Constant Spring Revenue Centre.

Approximately 160 delinquent taxpayers were also featured after failing to file tax returns and or pay amounts totaling J$3.8 billion to the Montego Bay Revenue Service Centre.

At the Spanish Town Revenue Centre, approximately 14 delinquent taxpayers have been assessed for nearly J$800 million. May Pen Revenue Centre officials have assessed more than 130 delinquent taxpayers for amounts totaling J$176-million .In Manchester, J$ 380 million has been assessed in outstanding amounts while the King Street and St. Ann's Bay Revenue Centre officials brought before the courts approximately 60 persons for a combined total of more than a J$ 1 billion.

The Jamaica Livestock Association and Guardian Insurance Brokers  have also been assessed for outstanding amounts totaling J$83 million .