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TCI: Penalty Rates Should Be Consistent Across All Government Bodies

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#Providenciales, March 12, 2019 – TCI –While I appreciate the fact that the National Health and National Insurance are governed by separate Boards, the penalty for late payment should be consistent between these boards. The penalties for these Boards should also be the same as the Ministry of Finance which oversees the Business licence fees and Accommodation taxes. To be fair, I believe at one point, all bodies were charging the same 10% but somehow the rates change.

National Health Penalty

The penalty for the late payment of National Health Insurance is now 3% per month. This was change in 2014 after the amnesty period. Therefore, the first month will be 3%, the second month will be 6% and the third month will be 9% etc.

National Insurance Penalty

The penalty for the late payment of National Insurance change in 2011 after NIB offered the first and only amnesty.  The penalty is now 10% for the first month and then an additional 3% for each month outstanding. Therefore the second month penalty will be 13%, the third month penalty will be 16% etc.

Business Licence Penalty

The penalty for the late payment of Business licence is 10% per month. Business licences are to be renewed by April 1st and if you renewed after April 30th, it will be 10% per month. If a business discontinues to operate, they must inform the Business Licence team otherwise, they will continue to charge the 10%. The first month will be 10%, the second month will be 20% and the third month 30%.

Accommodation Tax Penalty Rate

The penalty rate under the previous Hotel and tourism taxation ordinance was 10% per month for every month you were outstanding. Therefore, if you were outstanding for a year, the penalty would have been 120% and if you were outstanding for two years, the penalty rate would have been 240%

Based on section 28 of the new Hotel, restaurant and tourism taxation 2019 that the penalty rate has been changed to 20% and then an additional 1.5% for each month the taxes are unpaid. I think this new proposed rates are much better than what we currently have so I want to thank the Government for reviewing and implementing this change.

For example, if a company has $20,000 in unpaid taxes for 24 months, the penalty under the previous law would have been $48,000 plus the $20,000 unpaid taxes resulting in a total outstanding amount to Government for $68,000. Under this proposed law, the company penalty would be $11,200 plus the unpaid taxes of $20,000 resulting in a total outstanding amount of $31,200. This company would save $36,800

Financial Services Commission (FSC) penalty.

The FSC charges a penalty of a flat fee of $350 for every year a company does not pay their annual returns. If the company does not pay the annual return, the company is not consider to be in good standing.

Fortis

Fortis TCI is a private company and their penalty Rate is 2% per month is charged on all unpaid rates. Fortis also disconnects you if you do not pay by the required deadline. You have to pay the full amount to be reconnected.

Provo Water Company

Provo Water Company is also a private company and the penalty is 2% per month just like Fortis. PWC also disconnects you if you do not pay by the required deadline. You have to pay the full amount to be reconnected plus a flat reconnection.

FLOw and Digicel

Flow and Digicel do not charge a penalty. However, you will be disconnected if you do not pay your bill by the required time.

Recommendations

  • A flat fee for late payment should be levy on business rather than the high% rate.
  • At the end of each month, when payments are due, TCIG should run a report on who did not pay and let them desist from operating until they pay the taxes. If not, the taxes and penalties will continue to grow. Both TCIG and the customer will benefit from this.
  • The recent amnesty waiver will not resolve future issue if customers do not have the discipline to pay the taxes on time.
  • Business Licence should not be renewed if taxes are outstanding.
  • Perhaps the payment dates for all taxes should be the same.

Conclusion

In addition to the above, I encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the laws in their industry especially the accommodation taxation laws. Basically all services that are provided to guests during their stay at any accommodation are taxable. However, many of us do not know that and when the audit department inspects your books, you will be liable to pay the taxes and will incur not just the tax liability but also the penalties associated with it. It is interesting to note that the private sector penalties are lower than that of the Public sector. It appears that most people pay their taxes on time and so now is the time to have a flat rate across all the Public Sector Bodies.

By Drexwell Seymour

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Beaches Turks and Caicos sets the Benchmark for Biodiversity in the TCI

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Volunteers from the Sandals Foundation and Great Shape 1000 Smiles dental programme complete an oral health presentation at the Ashley Learning Centre took time out to share in a photo opportunity with some students and teachers

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks & Caicos continues to lead the way in sustainability by cultivating a culture of environmental stewardship across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through the introduction of biodegradable alternatives, agricultural education and community partnerships, the resort is setting a new standard for eco-conscious hospitality.                                                                                                                                                                  As part of its ongoing sustainability mission, the resort has replaced single-use plastics and certain chemicals with compostable, biodegradable products derived from natural sources, to reduce pollution and minimize the resort’s carbon footprint.

At Beaches Turks & Caicos, sustainability is woven into every part of the guest experience,” said Managing Director, James McAnally. “From the products we use to the relationships we nurture, our goal is to make responsible environmental choices that benefit our guests, team members and the wider Turks and Caicos community.”

The resort also practices on-site composting, recycling fruit and vegetable waste from its kitchens to enrich soil and sustain its lush landscaping. This closed-loop system reduces waste and promotes biodiversity across the property.

Beyond the resort, Beaches collaborates with local partners including schools, government agencies and NGOs to extend green education into the wider community. Through the Sandals Foundation, the resort supports projects such as the installation of water filtration systems, tree-planting activities and biodegradable workshops. Schools like Enid Capron Primary have expanded their farming projects and integrated agricultural science into their curriculum thanks to this partnership.                                                                                                                                                                                 Beaches also leads regular coastal cleanups and reforestation drives which inspires residents and students to play an active role in protecting their environment. “The Earth Guardian volunteers take pride in giving back to our schools and the communities we serve,” noted Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan. “These initiatives create a sense of shared responsibility that strengthens both our communities and our natural resources.”

With its commitment to biodegradable innovation, sustainable education and environmental action, Beaches Turks & Caicos continues to set the benchmark for biodiversity and sustainability in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Photo Captions

1st insert:  Beaches Turks and Caicos and the Sandals Foundation celebrate with students at the Enid Capron Primary School in a Reading Road Trip experience where guests and students get to experience a cultural melting pot of activity.


2nd insert: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Simone Woodfine from the Bar Department prepares to plant a tree at one of our schools to celebrate the mission of providing a healthier environment for the Turks and Caicos Islands

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Turks and Caicos Corporate Community Join Beaches Resort to Raise Funds for Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa Relief

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Some members of the local media fraternity who were present to share in the experience

Turks and Caicos Islands, December 17, 2025 – Corporate partners in and around Providenciales recently joined Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort raising over US $54,000 to support Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa Relief effort.  The fundraising dinner, aptly titled, ‘One Caribbean, One Family, One Love’ saw over eighteen companies gather on Friday, December 12 to support the recovery of families and the rebuilding of communities affected by the category 5 storm.

“When our Caribbean family calls, we will respond with love,” said Deryk Meany, General Manager of the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort. “Today it is Jamaica that is affected, but tomorrow, it could be the Turks and Caicos or another neighbouring island. We are committed to serving our brothers and sisters and are deeply grateful to everyone who have donated to the cause.”

Since the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica on October 28, the Sandals Foundation has been working around the clock with local agencies and international partners to provide shelter essentials, food, and clean water, restore schools, and provide medical support to hospitals. Funds raised at the recent benefit dinner will help bolster the next phase of the philanthropic organisation’s support to rebuild schools and livelihoods in affected communities.

“As we continue to provide essential first-relief support, we have already begun our long-term recovery response,” says Patrice Gilpin, Public Relations Manager at Sandals Foundation. “Many schools, which are the cornerstone of stability, learning, and emotional support for our young ones, require urgent attention. This donation will go a far way in restoring a sense of normalcy in the lives of our youngest and most vulnerable.”

The One Caribbean, One Family, One Love fundraising dinner featured, amongst other things a silent auction of Sandals and Beaches Resort stays, airline tickets, spa services, catamaran cruise, and private chef dinner. The night’s four course meal was also spearheaded by the TCI’s 2025 Taste of the Caribbean silver medalist culinary team- all of whom volunteered for the event.

Managing Director of the Northern Caribbean and Curaçao, James McAnally expressed delight at the outcome noting, “The success of this event is indicative of the power of partnerships to effect real change. We are grateful to the TCI business community, resort guests and our resort team for coming together and making this moment count.”

Photo Captions

1st insert:  Sandals Foundation Public Relations Manager Patrice Gilpin (centre) accepts the cheque from Beaches Turks and Caicos resort General Manager Deryk Meany (left) and Managing Director of the Northern Caribbean and Curacao James McAnally

2nd insert:  Members of the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort’s entertainment team were on hand to provide scintillating performances at the event

3rd insert:  Beaches Turks and Caicos resort General Manager Deryk Meany (5th left) poses for the cameras with representatives of the Graceway Communities as he personally thanked those who were in attendance

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Experience Turks and Caicos Projects Month-on-Month Growth of Stayover Arrivals for Winter Season  

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Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (December 17th, 2025) – As the Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes visitors for the 2025/2026 winter season, forward bookings for the peak travel period from December to March are projected to surpass those of the same period last year. Experience Turks and Caicos is also forecasting steady month-on-month growth throughout the first half of 2026, with forward bookings already tracking ahead of 2025 levels.

“This is welcome news for our tourism sector, which experienced modest declines over the last two quarters,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant of Experience Turks and Caicos. “One of the key drivers of this positive outlook is increased airlift, including a 19 percent increase in capacity from Canada for the winter season and a six percent increase from the United States.”                                                                                                                                                                                  Mr. Pennicook also attributed the improved projections to targeted marketing and trade engagement efforts led by Experience Turks and Caicos, particularly ongoing training and education for travel advisors and tour operator call-centre agents across all key source markets.

 

“We have maintained a strong presence through product launches and travel trade events such as Delta Vacations University, while significantly increasing the destination’s visibility through co-op advertising with major tour operators in our three primary markets,” he added.

Public relations activity has also played a critical role, with several hosted media visits from journalists in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America, alongside proactive pitching efforts that resulted in more than 100 placements in travel trade and consumer publications in 2025.

Analysis of current booking patterns also indicates a notable shift toward shorter booking windows. “One major U.S. tour operator reports that over the past several weeks, approximately 90 percent of bookings have been for travel within the next 60 days,” Mr. Pennicook noted. “Hoteliers are reporting similar trends, suggesting the potential for further growth as we move into 2026.”

Despite the positive outlook, October and November recorded declines in stayover arrivals. Preliminary data shows 30,508 air arrivals in October, representing a seven percent decrease compared to October 2024, largely due to reduced airlift from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom as well as the impact of Hurricane Melissa on travel to the region. November recorded 52,547 stayover arrivals by air, a marginal one percent decrease year-on-year.

As the Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes visitors back to its shores this winter season, Experience Turks and Caicos would like to reassure that the island remains safe and welcoming. Statistics from the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force show that overall crime is down, with a 40 percent reduction in murders. Experience Turks and Caicos is working closely with the police force to ensure tourism areas are well monitored and patrolled to enhance visitor security.

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