On February 18th, the following Bills were read in the
House of Assembly for the first time and it was publicly announced that the
Debate would take place on March 4th and 5th :
The Hotel Tourism and Restaurant Taxation Bill (HRTT)
which provided an overhaul to the Law passed since 1985 allowing for a
modernization of the law and a strengthening of the collection of taxes;
The HRTT (Amnesty) Bill which allowed for an Amnesty
commencing April 1st and allowing for a waiver of all penalties and
payable on any outstanding taxes due and payable under the Hotel, Restaurant
and Tourism (Taxation) Ordinance for the years up to and including the year
ending 31 March 2019.
The HRTT (Validation) Bill which sought to ratify past
actions.
Regrettably not all persons were able to hear the
Debate in the House of Assembly where three serving former Ministers quite adequately
shared their thoughts on why we were where we are today.
Of particular concern was the Amnesty Bill that offers
relief to 41 local and expatriate owned Businesses. I offer again the following
facts as stated during the Debate:
There has been NO
WRITE OFF OF TAXES for any Business.
Financial Implications
There are
currently 41 establishments that are
in arrears position of which 7 have
been refferred to AG Chambers, 15
have paid the entire principal amount but not the interest (not accruing), and 19 have made no payments. (interest
accruing).
Of the 19
businesses, Beaches TCI and Club Med
collectively account for 96% of the
amount outstanding. Should these businesses opt to benefit from the Amnesty, $28,638,820 of principal will be
collected and $85,191,912 in
interest will be forfeited.
Total amounts in
arrear of principal and interest are $29,684,123
and $89,147,690 respectively as at January 31, 2019.
On the matter of Beaches, three former Ministers of Finance currently serving correctly
summed up the situation as it relates to Beaches. Hon Derek Taylor spoke to the
fact that the actions should be considered for what it is: a cleaning up
exercise; Hon Royal Robinson offered that it was a matter that the issue has
run on so long and now the “chickens have come home to roost and certain
adjustments must be made” and Hon Washington Misick stated that he believe that
this was a genuine oversight by all Governments: PDM and PNP since 1997. I
agree with all save for the fact that I
have every reason to believe that the immediate past Minister of Finance had
knowledge of this matter and in fact his Party has issued a Release saying that
he commissioned the Audit that revealed the Findings. The Audit covered
September 2014 – August 2016 and it revealed that though Beaches and successive
Governments operated on the understanding that it should pay 60% of the 12%
tax, there was no written evidence save a letter written by Hon Washington Misick
in 2014 confirming this to be the practise. Despite the findings revealing the
oversight on the part of all successive governments, my Government has requested
the payment of the full 100% of taxes for this period. I wish to thank the
Revenue Control Unit for its work. In addition I wish to assure the public that
Beaches and Club Med continues to pay its monthly taxes before the statutory
deadline.
As it relates to Club Med, who since its opening has been allowed to pay 40% of the
12% tax under a Development Agreement. This Development Agreement has since
expired and the former Administration had continued to collect under the same
rate under the expired Agreement.
To this end, the Revenue Control Unit
had to asssess both establishments on 100% and this is the matter before us.
Only Penalties are proposed to be written off. Penalties under the current Ordinance calculates monthly at
10% compounded. For an amount outstanding of $29,684,123, the total penalties
are $89,147, 690. To be clear all businesses owing under this Audit are now
attracting 240% in interest/penalty on the original taxes owed. As an example
if a business owes $10,000 in taxes, it now attracts a penalty/interest of
$38,000.00 for the Audit period. While penalties have been put in place to
deter late payments, we believe the rate of 10% compounded monthly was too
onerous and have reduced the rate and how it is calculated going forward under
the new Ordinance passed on Monday.
I wish to confirm that local businesses will benefit under this Amnesty. Despite there
being no request by the Opposition for a list of proposed beneficiaries, I now
release the list of businesses that stand to benefit under the Amnesty Program
and encourage them to take advantage of the offer that allows payment plans for
up to 2 years. I appeal especially to locally owned businesses that have
popular standing. We are more than happy to be able to provide such an
opportunity.
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The Turks and Caicos Islands Government cannot comment on ongoing legal cases before the courts but confirms the following four (4) US nationals have been charged for possession of ammunition offences against the Firearms Ordinance (as amended).
MICHAEL LEE EVANS, 72, of Texas, pled guilty to possession of seven (7) 9mm rounds of ammunition. Appeared before the court on Wednesday, 24th April 2024, via video conference link. Currently on bail, with sentencing hearing adjourned to June 18th, 2024.
BRYAN HAGERICH, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to possession of twenty rounds of ammunition (rifle rounds). Currently on bail. Scheduled to reappear in court on May 3rd, 2024.
TYLER SCOTT WENRICH, 31, of Virginia, is currently remanded at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Grand Turk). He is charged with possession of two (2) 9mm rounds. He has not applied for bail.
RYAN TYLER WATSON, 40, of Oklahoma, currently on bail, charged with possession of four (4) rounds of ammunition. Appeared in court on April 24th, 2024. The matter was adjourned to June 7th, 2024
Persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands do not have a constitutional right to carry firearms. The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes all visitors but reminds travellers that the importation of firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons is strictly forbidden unless licence to do so has been issued by the Commissioner of Police.
The Turks and Caicos Islands have clear laws against the possession of firearms and or ammunition and strict penalties in order to serve and protect the community. Firearm and or ammunition offences carry a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of twelve years plus a fine. An Attorney General’s Reference to the Court of Appeal certified that where a court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge has discretion to impose a custodial sentence (less than the twelve years) and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case. The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory with a common law legal system.
Travellers are strongly advised to search their luggage before they travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure they do not bring in forbidden items inadvertently. The Turks and Caicos Islands reserves the right to enforce its legislation and all visitors must follow its law enforcement procedures.
The Transportation Security Administration screening in the United States may not identify ammunition in a traveller’s baggage; it is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of ammunition and/or firearms. Permission from an airline carrier does not constitute permission to bring firearms or ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands and will result in arrest.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 25 April 2024 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services is issuing a public advisory regarding a recent increase in chicken pox cases, particularly within school communities in the regions of Grand Turk and Providenciales. The Ministry is actively monitoring the situation and is working closely with affected schools to provide support and education aimed at preventing further spread of the virus.
Chicken pox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is a highly contagious infection characterized by a distinctive rash of itchy red spots or blisters. Transmission occurs via droplets, aerosols, or direct contact with respiratory secretions, and almost always produces clinical disease in susceptible individuals. While mostly a mild disorder in childhood, varicella tends to be more severe in adults. It may be fatal, especially in neonates and in immunocompromised persons. The Ministry urges parents, teachers, and the general public to remain vigilant and familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of chicken pox, which may include:
Rash: The primary symptom of chicken pox is a rash that typically begins as small red spots, which then develop into fluid-filled blisters over several days.
Fever: Children with chicken pox may experience a mild to moderate fever, often preceding the appearance of the rash.
Fatigue: Some individuals may feel generally unwell, tired, or lethargic.
Loss of Appetite: A decreased desire to eat may accompany other symptoms of chicken pox.
Management aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications and may include:
drinking plenty of fluid (try popsicles if your child is not drinking) to avoid dehydration.
taking paracetamol to help with pain and discomfort.
cut your child’s fingernails and put socks on their hands at night to stop them scratching.
use cooling creams or gels e.g. Calamine lotion
speak to your health care provider about using antihistamine medicine to help itching.
bathe in cool water and pat the skin dry (do not rub)
dress in loose clothes.
do not use ibuprofen unless advised to do so by a doctor, as it may cause serious skin infections.
do not give aspirin to children under 16.
do not go near newborn babies, or anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, as chickenpox can be dangerous for them.
do not scratch the spots, as scratching can cause scarring.
To mitigate the spread of chicken pox within schools and communities, the Ministry emphasizes the importance of practicing good hygiene habits, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.
In the event that a child exhibits symptoms of chicken pox, parents and caregivers are advised to keep them at home and seek medical attention promptly. A sick leave for a period of 14 days is usually given. After the 14 day sick leave period, the individual must return to the physician or the public health nurse at one of the primary care clinics to obtain a fit for work or school certificate allowing them re-entry back into school or work. Anyone returning earlier than this time or without this certificate should not be allowed in school so as to prevent spread to other children. Additionally, it is crucial to inform school authorities to prevent further transmission among classmates and staff.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of all citizens, and will continue to work diligently to address this current situation. For further information and guidance on chicken pox prevention and management, please visit Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.
On Tuesday, 23rd April 2024, officers from the Criminal Investigations Department of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force charged a 31-year-old male.
TYLER SCOTT WENRICH of Virginia, USA, is charged with POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION.
Mr Wenrich appeared before a Grand Turk Magistrate yesterday (April 24th) and was remanded into custody at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation pending a June 07th Sufficiency Hearing.
Based on reports, Mr. Wenrich travelled to Grand Turk on a cruise ship.
While going through a security checkpoint, it was discovered Mr Wenrich allegedly had ammunition in his possession.
Officers of the Grand Turk Police Station were called, and Mr Wenrich was arrested and subsequently charged.