By Leiselle Maraj Friday, February 5 2010

Senior Valuations Surveyor at the Finance Ministry, Mervyn Thompson, yesterday admitted that all property owners may not receive bills for the new tax in March, when they are expected to be delivered because the ministry does not have records of all property owners.

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce yesterday held a breakfast meeting for its members to discuss the new property tax system and the implications on commercial property owners at its headquarters, Columbus Circle, Westmoorings.

Many business heads raised concerns about the evaluation process, if the ministry would be able to visit and assess all properties and whether information on assessments would be made available. “Let’s face reality.

There is no way that we could ever cover every property in Trinidad and Tobago. I recently visited Belfast and they have been at it for 15 years and they still have not approached 90 percent coverage. So there will never be a day when we will cover all the properties.

“This is 2010, our first year of the new taxation system and we are not going to say that we are going to get anywhere near total coverage. If I might say so, if I could get to 50 percent I will be alright. That is the way it is,” Thompson said.

He explained persons who do not receive a bill by the end of March have to pay the tax or incur penalties. He added some people may not receive a bill because the ministry does not have a record of the person’s property, the record may be incomplete or the record may be unreliable and the ministry rejected it pending further investigations.

Thompson said persons who do not receive a bill could pay the property tax they paid before the new system and when the new bill is issued, the amount paid before will be deducted from the new amount. He assured persons who do not receive a bill will not be penalised for non-payment of taxes.

Penalties, he said, would be implemented if a bill is not paid by June 30. This year, he said, the period has been extended to September 15. “For 2010 we recognise that there is going to be a certain level of uncertainty in the tax so I expect that some measure will be given and that date will probably be moved to December 31,” he said.

Two local banks, he said, have given their commitment to property tax collection.

Thompson assured property owners they will be allowed to query any adjustment to their annual rental value (ARV) which is what property tax is based on.

He detailed the process of raising objections, explaining that persons should first go to the Commissioner of Evaluations who would listen to complaints and will assess the situation.

If the person is not satisfied, they could then approach the Tax Appeal Board and then the Appeals’ Court as the final means of addressing their complaint.