WILLEMSTAD - The high tax burden on Curaçao is mainly due to the group of defaulters and tax evaders. This is according to Finance Minister Javier Silvania. More than 47 cents of every guilder earned on Curaçao goes to the tax authorities.
The group of defaulters on Curaçao is still too large, mainly due to a lack of control. As a result, the government misses out on millions of guilders in tax revenues every year.
The price for this is mainly paid by the middle class. According to Silvania, willingly adheres to their tax obligations, but at the same time absorbs all the blows.
A sound collection system could lead to a reduction in tax rates in the future, the minister believes. According to him, the current tax framework still has too many shortcomings that hinder the efficient levying and collection of taxes and contributions.
According to Silvania, too little has been invested in the tax authorities in previous years, especially in the levy and collection systems, as a result of which both the levies and collections took place in an unstructured manner.
According to the minister, previous governments have repeatedly opted for an increase in tax rates and premiums in order to supplement the National Treasury.