BELIZE CITY COUNCIL SEEKS TO STANDARDIZE PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS

January 09, 2007

The Belize City Council has sought to standardize its property tax collections.Mayor Zenaida Moya explains how this was done.

Mayor Zenaida Moya:

“We have regularize the tax rate on unoccupied property from some 2.5 percent to 2 percent. We have altered the existing collection zone to decrease the size of the zone so that it is more manageable and equitable to the tax collector and to ensure that at the end of the day the city of Belize receive the revenues in a fear manner not just one or two people paying but everyone should be contributing toward the management and the development of the city. In terms of the different property tax revenues we have been doing well. We pass the 80 percent rate in terms of collection for the New Year.”

Mayor Moya says once the property tax bill is sent out, the property owner is given time to pay.

Mayor Zenaida Moya:

“It starts from the on set of when a person receives his or her bill hopefully that person pays but in the even that person does not come in and pay or doesn’t pay a tax collector a 14 days notice is sent to that individual and again if nothing is done a seven day notice is sent and there after if that resident refuses to pay or still does not come in to inform or speak to the valuation or revenue department the a summons will be given to that individual to ensure payment and we hope that every year we will be able to improve on collection.

Belize City Mayor, Zenaida Moya.

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