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Residents, Businesses and Property Owners One Step Closer to 90-Day Tax Amnesty as Gittens Bill Advances

Senator Kenneth Gittens has lambasted the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Office of the Tax Collector for their perceived lack of empathy, during a discussion about a suggested tax amnesty for a specific subset of local businesses. Bill 36-0083, sponsored by Mr. Gittens, would establish a 90-day amnesty period for the waiver of penalties for payment of outstanding property taxes, income taxes, and gross receipt taxes for all tax years to assist taxpayers and businesses recovering from the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and Tropical Storm Ernesto. Presenting the measure before lawmakers on the Budget, Finance and Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, Senator Gittens described it as a “targeted and timely solution” to “provide temporary but meaningful relief to Virgin Islands taxpayers who are struggling with the cumulative weight of outstanding tax penalties and interest.” The bill authorizes the Lieutenant Governor to “waive penalties and interest on delinquent real ...