I haven't posted any follow-ups on the battle between the tax enforcers, DEI, who wreaked havoc upon Roatan businesses in December. First, DEI agents were called off of their witch hunt on Roatan. The head of DEI was called to appear before the Honduran Congress. Congress demanded certain changes be made such changes in the tax code, training for these DEI agents (who work under contract), forbidding the shutting down of businesses over minor details, such a lack of email address on the receipt - the business will be given a set amount of time to correct the problem, and DEI will pay another visit to insure that this is done.
This was not enough to save our businesses here on the island. Here is the link to an article published in the Panampost recently about how the changes in the tax law will affect businesses.
https://panampost.com/jorge-colindres/2016/01/18/you-better-pray-the-honduran-taxman-likes-you/#.Vp5d_rXWVVI.facebook
Apparently the tax code and list of increased tax rates on particular businesses amounts to about 150 pages of not-so-fun reading. Even schools will be taxed. Really? The schools don't always pay their teachers who may have up to 90 kids in their class and no assistant (teachers may hire someone to help but are responsible for paying that person out of their own pocket), nor do they always supply textbooks or other necessary supplies for the teachers. Perhaps they are learning from the U.S. how to bury the brutal truth within pages of babble?
Business are not going down without a fight. They met with DEI and other government officials last month (the mayor did not bother to attend), and they have planned a peaceful march to the municipal building for this coming Saturday.
We'll see how this turns out.
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