Director General: Legal action used as final step in tax collection

Posted: Wednesday, September 17, 2025. 8:35 am CST.

By Zoila Palma: Director General of the Belize Tax Service (BTS) Michelle Longsworth explained to 7News Belize that the BTS used legal action as a last resort to collect taxes owed.

Longsworth explained more about the case of business owner Andrew Munnings of Munnings Funeral service.

“The Belize Tax service confirms that that judgment has been obtained in court against Munning’s funeral service for outstanding tax arrears. Despite repeated opportunities to comply, the taxpayer has defaulted on both filing and payment obligations.

BTSD views court enforcement as a measure of last resort, used only after multiple opportunities for cooperation have been provided. On February 25th, 2025, the Magistrate Court ordered Mr. Munnings to meet monthly payments of $2,000 towards his judgment debt. While some partial payments were made, he failed to comply with the court order. The court made it clear that failure to meet these obligations would result in committal to jail. After further defaults, a committal warrant was issued yesterday. A lawful consequence of ignoring a binding court order,” Longsworth explained.

Longsworth says that the business began operating in 2020 and registered for tax purposes in 2023.

“After Belize Tax Services contacted him. Despite this late registration, the taxpayer did not file or pay as required. A taxpayer service officer made several attempts to provide taxpayer education, but these were refused by the taxpayer. Audits and assessments were carried out in accordance with the law, and the taxpayer was given an opportunity to seek a review, but he did not act,” Longsworth added.

The Director General said that multiple payment arrangements including waiver of penalty and interest were offered.

“Additional time was granted before enforcement. Despite these accommodations, the taxpayer repeatedly failed to comply with both tax obligation and the binding court order,” the Director General said.

 

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The post Director General: Legal action used as final step in tax collection appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Wednesday, September 17, 2025. 8:35 am CST. By Zoila Palma: Director General of the Belize Tax Service (BTS) Michelle Longsworth explained to 7News Belize that the
The post Director General: Legal action used as final step in tax collection appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.