WILLEMSTAD - Curoil, the fuel distribution company, has officially refuted recent reports claiming an alleged tax debt of 88 million guilders, as asserted by Minister Javier Silvania. The company stresses its unwavering commitment to meeting tax obligations and challenges the accuracy of the Finance Minister's claims.
Curoil asserts that the fuel tax is already integrated into the consumer's pump price, with the company's role confined to the collection and remittance of these taxes to the government.
The company elucidates that in response to refinery issues in 2018, Curoil initiated the import of all products to avert shortages. Previously, it exclusively imported low-sulfur diesel, as the refinery did not produce it.
An understanding with the government exempting diesel from import taxes was in place. However, when Curoil diversified its imports to include gasoline and kerosene, discussions with customs and the government ensued regarding the associated import taxes. This was prompted by concerns over the potential substantial price hikes for local consumers.
Curoil underscores that the government of Curaçao must make the essential adjustments to exempt import taxes on petroleum products. These adjustments, as yet unformalized, have not been factored into price calculations by the regulator BTP, as indicated monthly in the price change decree published by the Curaçao government. Consequently, consumers have not borne these taxes, and Curoil has been unable to remit them to the Tax Department.
In 2021, Curoil received a tax assessment of 107 million guilders from the Tax Department, subsequently revised to 88 million guilders. As this amount was never incorporated into fuel pump prices, discussions persist with the government on whether this sum should be retroactively applied.
Curoil maintains ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Finance, striving to promptly reach a satisfactory agreement that benefits all stakeholders, particularly the consumers, affirms the oil distributor of Curaçao.