Should tax collectors be allowed to seize assets of those who owe taxes?

Author : teriann

It’s a familiar scene, a business owes taxes for several years and so the tax man comes calling.

Their assets are usually seized in an effort to get some or all the money owed.

The negative aspect is not only the loss of their assets but also a tarnished public image as it is usually reported in the media.

Some people think that the tax collection process should not be done to publicly embarrass the company. Every other means should be exhausted to make sure that the seizure is the last resort.

Others might conclude that it is in the best interest of the country to force delinquent tax payers to pay. Those who have been dodging the tax man for years might not be inclined to pay without some coercion.

What’s your view? Should tax collectors be allowed to seize assets of those who owe taxes?

Teri Ann Renee Paisley (Gleaner on-line writer)

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14 Responses to “Should tax collectors be allowed to seize assets of those who owe taxes?”

  1. Stefan Brand says:

    I believe that the tax authorities should be able to apply to the Courts for asset seizure, yes.

  2. T.L.Grant says:

    NO, they should NOT! The Courts are the best places to handle that situation, without bias.

  3. Watcher01 says:

    Before I answer the question “Should tax collectors be allowed to seize assets of those who owe taxes?” Let me say that every person should be given a reasonable amount of time to pay back taxes.

    We could try a 3 strike you are out rule where the delinquent person or persons are given 3 notices to pay. Each of those should come with a deadline and also state that failure to pay will result in seizure of assets which will be auctioned off to regain funds for taxes owed.

    With that being said, I say “YES” they should go seize assets. If you pay your taxes regularly then you should have nothing to worry about but if you are a delinquent tax payer then it is your fault that you are in this predicament. If a person owns a business then the public should know that you are a non payer. Why should we be doing business with you when you are trying to cheat the country.

  4. RENZO says:

    FO SURE, FO SURE

  5. Terri says:

    No!!! we are over taxed

  6. Bob says:

    I would say yes. But before they do so they must exhaust all means to try and collect!.. and I am sure that if they really try they will be able to come to some agreement with the person/business that owed with out have to seize anything!.

  7. shernette says:

    I BELIEVE they should make a deal so they can offord to pay what they owe,and that they be able to keep the buisness and can hire people to work,it tough out there,and the poor people is tryin to make a living

  8. shernette says:

    you know y so many criminal out there no jobssssssssssssssss.

  9. Dr Joan Porteous says:

    YES ASSETS SHOULD BE FORFEITED after the court’s ruling. But Waite where is the law that gives the [OCG] OFFICE OFF HE CONTRACTOR GENERAL POLICE POWERS to LACK UP CORRUPTED POLITICIANS WHO STEAL FROM THE GOVERNMENT COFFERS.

  10. Neutral Justice says:

    Here we go again, another example of a poor country following rich country examples. Jamaica is internationally known to adopt their own way of helping their people. The Jamaican public must never be seen as the enemy by their own tax agency. Jamaica should not even have a tax collection agency. The name alone is wrong for the our people. Jamaican tax payers must be seen as a supportive contributions to nation building.

  11. This forum nedeed shaking up and you?’ve just done that. Great post!

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  13. J Robinson says:

    I agree wholeheartedly with all who are of the opinion that tax collectors should be allowed to seize assets of those who owe taxes.

    Let us not beat around the bush – we all NEED (not should) to pay our taxes! It matters not that “mi nuh like it” or “di rates too high” – it is our civic duty and as a country we need to start taking that more seriously.

    Tax doggers are parasitic strains on our economy. They are partially responsible for Jamaica’s 20+ years of fiscal deficits and the reason why the tax rates are so high in the first place. It is reasonable to assume that if everyone paid their taxes the rates could be reduced overtime. Just as you pay your mortgage, car loan and light bill (even though you really don’t want to); you should set aside money for your tax returns.

    To be fair to tax delinquents; Jamaica’s tax system is much too convoluted and the process of filing returns need to be simplified. If this is done I would have absolutely no objections to the tax authorities seizing the assets of tax doggers and embarrassing them on television, radio, print and electronic media and through any other medium.

    Let’s all just do the right thing and play our part to make our country better….be apart of the solution – not the problem.

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