And while that will be a matter of dispute - one thing we can't dispute tis that the Belize Tax Services has taken a very bad public bruising of its reputation for sending Munnings to jail for a tax debt. Longsworth acknowledged the damage to her department's image:
Michelle Longsworth, Director General - BTS
"We are aware of the public reactions being expressed on social media. This matter is not about punishing a small business, but about ensuring fairness in the tax system. Many small businesses across Belize meet their tax obligations faithfully despite challenges. It would be unfair to them if others who refused to comply were allowed to avoid their responsibilities. Every effort was made to work with this taxpayer. But enforcement followed only after repeated defaults and failure to comply with a court order. The committal warrant was issued by the Magistrate Court, not unilaterally by BTS."
"Court enforcement is always the last resort. Our objective is not imprisonment. It is building a fair and transparent tax system where everyone contributes their fair share to Belize's development."
Jules Vasquez
"But are you concerned that irreparable damage may have been done to the image and reputation of Beize Tax Services?"
Michelle Longsworth, Director General - BTS
"Jules, I'll be honest. Of course there is concern because the image that we have been trying to build over the past 5 to 6 years, with all the reform initiatives that we've undertaken, is one of where the Belize Tax Service is open to work with taxpayers."
"And I think when we face challenges like these and the outcry is as such, it does it does create another, another horrible image for the tax department when we've been working so hard to create an image where we are, it's more centered around people and the taxpayers we serve. Because I agree with you. You said it. No one wants to pay their taxes. Nobody likes to pay taxes. But many, many of us, we have to pay."
