Astaphan questions St Kitts and Nevis tax revenue

Last updated: November 16, 2017 at 16:48 pm

Figures released by Dwyer Astaphan show that the St. Kitts and Nevis government are collecting less taxes in 2017 than in 2008.

Astaphan disclosed the startling figures on his weekly Operating Room radio show.

He has queried the government on why millions of dollars more was deposited into the Treasury in 2008 than in 2016 and 2017 from drivers’ licences, bank licences, corporate income tax, and hotel and room tax.

“Corporate income tax collected in 2008 amounted to EC$84 million. In 2015, EC$61 million was collected and up to the time reporting for this year (October), EC$46 million has been collected,” Astaphan said.

“If the economy is expanding, how come the Timothy Harris Team Unity administration is collecting less corporation tax?”

He also disclosed that in 2008, EC$350,000 was collected from bank licences, yet no money has been taken from these licences in 2016 or 2017.

“Freedom of information is not a privilege for us. It is a constitutional right, but we do not get the information,” said Astaphan.

He said he believes the country has a right to know what is happening with taxes and has slammed the prime minister for not fulfilling his promises of Freedom of Information legislation within 100 days of taking office in February 2015.