AG Finalizing Legal Advice on B.T.L.’s Tax Woes

Belize Telemedia Limited owes millions of dollars in taxes to the Government of Belize – that’s the position of the Belize Tax Service. Financial Secretary Joseph Waight confirmed last week that the Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte was asked for legal advice concerning B.T.L.’s tax woes.  As we reported in 2019 when the issue came to light, B.T.L. purportedly racked up more than twenty-nine million dollars in GST Tax for the period 2012-2017.  The telecom giant has denied owning any tax, but the department maintains there is a debt. Peyrefitte says his office legal advice should be completed by Tuesday. 

Michael Peyrefitte

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General

“It has not concluded yet but I am expecting it to be concluded by either today or tomorrow.”

Reporter

“Okay so absolutely no hint either way?”

Michael Peyrefitte

“Absolutely not.  They sought my legal advice and I am going to give them my legal advice. What led to them asking me, what led to them changing their minds you would have to ask them. I know.”

Reporter

“It seems like people lied back then whether the company did owe or no when they were asked publicly.”

Michael Peyrefitte

“What I know, a couple of weeks ago the Financial Secretary asked for my analysis of the situation as to whether or view as the government’s lawyers that B.T.L. is owed taxes or not. We will render that opinion and I am sure that when we render that opinion ten bush lawyers will say that they agree, ten bush lawyers will say they don’t agree. That is just the nature of the business. And then you would say did you give that opinion because government own B.T.L. and because, I am sure. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”