Business

DLCA No Longer Requiring Proof of Tax Clearance Before Issuing Business Licenses, in New Policy Aimed at Implementing 2020 Law

The V.I. Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, following a meeting last week has decided to commence the implementation of a law sponsored by former Senator Alicia Barnes whose aim is to simplify the process of getting a business license. As part of the department's effort to achieve this, DLCA has dropped the requirement that businesses provide a tax clearance letter before being issued a business license, the Consortium was told on Feb. 7 by two people with intimate knowledge of the matter. DLCA Commissioner Richard Evangelista has since confirmed the new policy to the Consortium.  During a Sept. 2019 hearing, Ms. Barnes said her goal was to “streamline antiquated government processes thus creating an environment for economic activity, entrepreneurship, and private sector growth.” Act 8258, signed into law by Governor Albert Bryan in Jan. 2020, amends Virgin Islands code "by requiring that business licenses be issued within ten business days." But the measure also authorizes DL...