More Fees For Local Business Owners
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 27, 2009 (CUOPM)
St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Finance, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris goes to the National Assembly next week Tuesday seeking legislative support to harmonise the provisions of the Licences on Businesses and Occupations, No. 6 of 1972 with those of the Development Control and Planning Act, No. 14 of 2000.
According to the Legal Department, the amendment to the Licences on Businesses and Occupations (Amendment) Bill, 2009, introduces a new subsection (3) which will provide that where an application is made for a license pursuant to the Licences on Businesses and Occupations, Act, for which express development permission is required pursuant to the Development Control and Planning Act, the applicant shall attach to the application, proof that either express development permission has been granted or is not required, pursuant to the latter Act.
Clause 6 of the Bill seeks to give the Minister power to refuse to issue, revoke or suspend a licence where the licensee has failed to submit income tax returns or to pay assessed income tax as required by the Income Tax Act, No. 17 of 1966.
Clause 7 seeks to introduce new categories for occupations, businesses and professions which were hitherto unlicensed.
These include movie theater, marketing and promotion agency, backhoe service, consultancy services, airline services, advertising agency, internet/web development, marina, money transfer or cambio transactor, trucking and haulage, waste disposal, debt collecting, Laundromat, pharmacy, recording studio, scuba diving, buses, ice making and sales, taxis, tutoring, rental of beach equipment, landscaping and telecommunications installation contractor.