Court rules City Hall has no taxes
Giftland Mall owner, Roy Beepat.
Mayor Ubraj Narine.
Kaieteur News – The High Court issued a ruling that effectively cleared Giftland Mall of having taxes due to the Mayor and Georgetown City Council (M&CC). The ruling stems from a court case filed by Giftland over allegations that he owes the Council more than $ 100M worth of taxes.
Following yesterday’s decision, Kaieteur News reached out to a party close to the matter and explained that the Council had calculated the alleged amount owed by Giftland using a valuation by the Chief State Valuation Officer.
The Chief Valuation Officer had reportedly assessed the value of the property and the Council had calculated their taxes, adding arrears and interest. However, Gifts challenged their claims and the valuation in Court.
In its ruling yesterday, the Court set aside the valuation on the basis that the Chief Valuation Officer failed to comply with the procedure for valuing the commercial property.
As a result, the demand for rates and taxes was also assigned on the borough’s accounting basis. In addition, the Court ruled that the claim of 21 per cent compound interest by the Council under the Municipal and District Council Act was set aside. As a result, there are no unpaid rates and taxes for City Hall at Giftland Mall.
Following the Court’s decision yesterday, Giftland Mall released a statement that outlined that it was justified in its stance that the company owed no taxes to the Georgetown Borough.
“The Gifts Group wants to let the public know that the long contentious tax issue with the Mayor and City Council has finally been resolved in court today…. Roy Beepat has been fully justified against the damage done…, ”The company said in the statement adding that despite attacks on its reputation, as a responsible corporate entity, it will offer an olive branch to the M&CC to find a way to work together recognizing that the country cannot run without taxes.
“As a responsible corporate entity, Giftland will offer the M&CC an olive branch to find a way to work together recognizing that the Country cannot run without taxes,… we remain here to serve all Guyanese people with the highest possible standards and look forward to your continued support, ”the company added in the statement.