By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A MAJOR Bahamian retailer yesterday accused government agents of employing “intimidation tactics” by sending heavily-armed officers into its main store as part of a tax compliance check-up.
Brent Burrows II, CBS Bahamas’ vice-president of retail and sales, wrote in a widely-circulated Facebook post that Monday’s surprise visit by the Government’s ‘Revenue Enhancement Task Force’ was “an eye-opening event” not just for himself but the wider private sector given that it signalled an “increasingly hostile” environment for local businesses.
A 30-second video clip, which went viral on social media, showed a ten-strong team of officials from various government agencies entering CBS Bahamas’ South-West Plaza store at just after 11am on Monday, June 24. They include police, Defence Force and Immigration officers, at least two of whom are armed with machine guns.
Dr Duane Sands, the Free National Movement’s chairman, likened the visit to a “Gestapo-style incursion” in a reference to the Nazi secret police, and questioned whether this represents “a new norm” for the Bahamian private sector when it comes their dealings with the Government’s tax authorities.
Branding the move “unfathomable”, he argued that the seemingly heavy-handed approach requires urgent explanation from the Davis administration, and said: “Is this now what we all need to expect? That armed police are going to storm businesses demanding to see documents and receipts?”
However, Commander Bertram Bowleg, chairman of the Government’s Maritime Revenue Enhancement Task Force, yesterday pleaded to Tribune Business: “Don’t paint us to be the bad boys.” He explained that the visit to CBS Bahamas, and other businesses in the South-West Plaza, were part of a “door-to- door” compliance and enforcement strategy to ensure companies are com- pliant with all taxes.
Signalling that this is the next step, following the recent voluntary compliance exercise staged by the revenue agencies, Commander Bowleg refuted suggestions that the team which visited CBS Bahamas were “heavy handed” or “aggressive” in their approach.
Asserting that officers never entered the store pointing their weapons aggressively at customers or staff, he pointed out that it was standard practice for law enforcement to carry arms in the modern Bahamas. Commander Bowleg said the presence of armed officers was necessary to protect tax officials given the possibility that some delinquent companies may react negatively to demands for payment.
However, Mr Burrows described the sudden, unannounced arrival of the Revenue Enhancement Task Force team during the middle of the business day as “deeply alarming” for both customers and CBS Bahamas staff. He added that the impact was “disruptive” because staff had to be pulled away from their daily tasks to address the officials’ requests for specific documents and receipts.
While backing the Government’s goal of ensuring all companies pay their fair share in tax, the CBS Bahamas chief said the Task Force’s visit would have been more productive if it had alerted the retailer in advance because then it could have had the necessary paperwork ready for inspection.
And he pointed out that many documents, such as Customs entries were already easily accessible electronically and in the possession of the Government’s tax agencies, thus eliminating the need for an on-site visit. Mr Burrows also challenged why the Government is seemingly targeting all businesses rather than those deemed ‘high risk’ or with a history of tax avoidance, evasion and non-compliance.
“Not only was CBS visited yesterday [Monday], but just about every other business operating in the South-West Plaza,” Mr Burrows wrote. “This was an eye-opening event for me, and it should be for the rest of the business community as well. We are slowly but surely continuing to trend in a direction that is increasingly hostile for Bahamian businesses.
“Regulatory burdens aside, the intimidation tactics employed during routine checks only serve to create an atmosphere of fear and distrust. We need to address these practices to ensure that businesses are not made to feel under siege but are encouraged to thrive and contribute positively to our economy. It’s crucial for the business community and government to work together to foster a supportive and transparent environment.”
Disclosing that the Revenue Enhancement Task Force team included officials from agencies such as Customs, Immigration, the National Insurance Board, Department of Inland Revenue and police and Defence Force, Mr Burrows added: “Their arrival, unannounced and in the middle of the shopping day, was not only disruptive but also deeply alarming for both our customers and staff.
“The sight of heavily-armed government agents entering a retail store created an atmosphere of fear and confusion.” Mr Burrows added that, if CBS Bahamas had been informed in advance of the compliance check-up this would have made document production and inspection by the officials much more efficient, thereby “minimising wasted time for both parties”.
“What message are we sending when a ‘routine check’ is accompanied by armed enforcement agents,” the CBS vice-president asked. “CBS Bahamas is fully compliant and has no history of issues or wrongdoings. This aggressive approach seems excessive and unwarranted....
“Shouldn’t efforts be focused on businesses that have a history of non-compliance or issues rather than those that consistently follow the rules?” Mr Burrows also said that requesting documents already accessible to government agencies electronically “only adds to the bureaucratic burden and wastes valuable resources.”
Mr Burrows subsequently told Tribune Business that, by making CBS Bahamas’ experience and concerns known, it will hopefully prompt policymakers to “think twice” and adjust the Revenue Enhancement Task Forces approach as having armed officers enter a store in the middle of the business day is “not a good look for commerce”.
Describing the approach as “just unnecessary”, he said he was aware that similar tax compliance visits were made to Bahamian marinas in early June based on photos he has seen. “They came to us first, and then went pretty much to every store in the South- West Plaza,” he added of Monday’s events.
While CBS Bahamas’ head office and tax-related records are in the same location as its main store, Mr Burrows said this was not the case for a number of other retailers in the plaza. As a result, he suggested that when it came to the likes of Bamboo Shack the officials would have been talking to “fry cooks and servers” rather than the persons they needed to see, undermining their visit’s efficiency.
“The customers and staff alike, they see something like that and people get crazy stuff in their heads that we were subjected to an Immigration raid. It’s just unnecessary. It’s concerning,” Mr Burrows said. He added that, if CBS Bahamas and others had been notified in advance, the Government had “an opportunity to do something really positive with the business community”.
The private sector could have made the relevant documents available, along with executives to answer any questions the agencies had, which “could have been a totally different outcome” delivering positive benefits for both the Government and businesses.
“We needed our human resources administrator, our buying and shipping person, to stop what they were doing and look up whatever documents they were asked to look up and make sure everything was in order,” Mr Burrows said. “Disruption was the main thing, but more so the approach and way they went about it was concerning to me.
“I just didn’t feel like it was a great use of resources. A courtesy call or something would probably have been better, but to come through the door with eight to ten agents, some of whom were carrying guns, is not a good look. Hopefully someone at the top will think twice about it and come up with a different approach.
“We know that over the past year, year-and-a-half there’s been like this more hostile warning, but the tone coming out of Inland Revenue towards the business community, this plays into that whole picture which is not a great look for commerce. Hopefully it changes direction or the strategy changes.”
Dr Sands, reacting to the CBS Bahamas video and postings, told Tribune Business: “You wonder: Is this the new norm? It seems a bit over the top doesn’t it? I think it’s absolutely incredible, it’s unbelievable. I think the business community should be absolutely alarmed.
“Unless there’s an explanation, is this now what we all need to expect? That armed police are going to storm businesses demanding to see documents and receipts? It is unfathomable that this has taken place in The Bahamas in 2024. There’s got to be a serious explanation.
“What other businesses need to expect a visit by a contingent of armed police or armed officers? I don’t think this is an overreaction. It’s absurd, and the public needs an urgent explanation. What does one do or not do to warrant such an intrusion? What is going on? I don’t know if there is some legitimate reason for this Gestapo-style incursion,” he continued.
“This is frightening that this is to determine whether you are tax compliant. If the contents of the post are correct, that other businesses were subject to similar kinds of intrusion, then we should be very afraid.”
Comments
moncurcool 4 months, 4 weeks ago
So a Maritime Task Force for Revenue is on land? And why do they need the police and defense force for revenue collection? Is that their role?
And to make matters worst, this clearly shows the incompetence of the government. Do these people on the taskforce not have these records in their offices? They do not have computers that recorded what businesses turned in what? They have to walk into a business to determine if it is compliant?
This reeks of gestapo style aggression towards businesses.
bahamianson 4 months, 4 weeks ago
Also , who owns Quality Home Center? Was that store invaded like CBS? Is that store owned by a government official?
ExposedU2C 4 months, 4 weeks ago
PM Davis
bahamianson 4 months, 4 weeks ago
Will the officers in the video get discounts when they come to buy merchandise?
TimesUp 4 months, 4 weeks ago
Why have we become like this. Every government agency feels it should be militarized.
There is absolutely no reason why we should be behaving like this. Immigration, Customs, even the police have no business dressing and acting like this.
On top of being scary and intimidating, its just embarrassing. Look at them, look at Immigration when they get all dressed up, or at the military style road blocks. We are trying so hard to be a 3rd world militarized joke of a nation.
When I have my kids or foreign friends in the car and go through a road block I feel ashamed at what we have become. It perpetuates a vision of criminality and unease.
The uniforms are always mismatched, if you are a military branch you should be disciplined as such. Ever seen them with the intimidating face masks?
hj 4 months, 4 weeks ago
This is simply showing the incompetence and mentality of sone government officials. Showing up with guns for a tax issue. I also understand that a lot of businesses are receiving letters from DIR that are kind of threatening if the business is not compliant,although DIR has all the documents. I guess the slave mentality is alive and well
ExposedU2C 4 months, 4 weeks ago
No government, no PM and no cabinet minister possesses this kind of discretionary authority or power under our Constitution. Even the type of ministerial "discretionary authority" language our corrupt politicians love to include in just about every piece of legislation they enact, does not vitiate the due process rights accorded every individual and business under our Constitution.
And even if a court order supported by a search and seizure warrant had been issued, this type of most abusive and intimidating revenue collection tactic is well beyond the pale of acceptable conduct by any revenue collection agency. Not even the highly aggressive IRS in the US would dare entertain such conduct without due process having been fully exhausted and absent a fully justifiable reason for the use of a heavily armed military-type force as opposed to inland revenue service personnel accompanied by police officers where necessary.
If corrupt PM Davis, Dumbo Halkitis and/or Simply Angry Wilson are found to be behind this horrifyingly abusive incident, there should be a loud public outcry for their heads to roll with the senior members of our judiciary system screaming in unison the loudest.
TalRussell 4 months, 4 weeks ago
Likened this captured on live video, armed visit to in reference to now question what could lie ahead if our colony's troops that are heading to patrol and to guard over and protect the Haitian popoulaes are likewise trained to respond -- with force even when unprovoked. -- Even worse --- alongside Kenyan troops -- Known for their willingness' to use deadly intimidation force, against their own popoulaces. --- Yes?
birdiestrachan 4 months, 4 weeks ago
I do not understand why did they go there with guns, they have to explain this one they could have caused heart attacks, to say the least,
TalRussell 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Unfortunately, it can't be said it was the same after some CBS employees' -- Experienced loose bowel movements. -- Yes?
The_Oracle 4 months, 4 weeks ago
Due process, rule of law, suspicion of unlawful behavior or fraud, warrants, a day in court. Are there offenders? Repeat offenders? sure there are. We are trying to overcome 50 years of corruption and cronyism. This does not stop that however. Bowleg needs pulling up short and hard, and anyone above who sanctioned this action/process. What % of this "task force" even knows what they're looking for in documentation? The permitted Haitian burning 10 year old documents in a trash bin out back?
sheeprunner12 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Good question
Did the Task Force go to QHC in the same manner as they went to CBS?
Is QHC owned by our PM?????
Inquiring minds would like to know 💯
ThisIsOurs 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Is it possible that someone at the plaza called the Fuhrer a liar and he told them, "I guh meet you inside"
Dawes 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Disgrace, Nothing more to add, just the continued decline in this nation.
hj 4 months, 3 weeks ago
The team was not "heavy handed" or "aggressive" in their approach. Does this mean that people are supposed to be gratefull because no shots were fired. Did they expect the managers and employees of the business to shoot at them? Are you serious sir?
BONEFISH 4 months, 3 weeks ago
The matter was poorly handled by this task force.The persons need to be better trained and cognizant of the image they are portraying to the public. The department of inland revenue needs way better public relations.
ExposedU2C 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Our thin-skinned corrupt PM & minster of finance Davis, and his two goons sorely lacking in common sense, namely simple minded and always angry Wilson and dumbo Halkitis, need to be held accountable by the people (voters) for this most outrageous act of terrorism, period!
trueBahamian 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Wow! Seriously? This is just insane. To make this even more ubsane it appears thus wasn't about non-compliance but a routine check if compliance. What is going in this country?
Porcupine 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Inexcusable! Inexcusable. We have a corrupt government. From the top to the bottom. There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behaviour. This goes to show that the police will protect nobody except those at the top. They will kiss those butts until the cows come home. Just blind obedience, with their big guns, because they have no brains or balls. The PM is a total loser for allowing this to happen. If he were a man he would............. Forget it, he ain't no man. Sad day for The Bahamas. I hope the rest of the world gets to see how jokey we've become. Worse, no shame. None of them. The PM will talk trash as he usually does.
B_I_D___ 4 months, 3 weeks ago
If they come through my doors like that, I’ll shut the whole business down…total disrespect from people who abide by the rules and pay their bills…easier to screw over the big retailers for what may be a fraction of a percent of discrepancy vs chasing after everyone else slipping through the cracks or that have political connections.
M0J0 4 months, 3 weeks ago
One thing we don't like as Bahamians is enforcement boy. As soon as the government take a serious stance, we worried about appearance more than those not wanting to pay their fair share, when the small man being taxed but the big man playing stupid and gaining all the profits.
ExposedU2C 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Bahamians don't like a government using lawlessness to fight lawlessness. A nation lacking a government that respects the laws of the land while enforcing the laws of the land is destined to be a failed state. Our government exists to serve the citizenry and enforce the laws of our nation without the use of unlawful intimidation and terrorist-type tactics.
moncurcool 4 months, 3 weeks ago
This has nothing to do with enforcement. This is intimidation.
IF the business was not ib compliance why not go to court and shut it down?
Further, the nonsensical response was that they checking for compliance. That is ridiculous. Every government entity has records. All they had to do was check their records.
Since when do we have goon squads with guns going around to check for compliance? This is gestapo tactics.
ThisIsOurs 4 months, 3 weeks ago
This was not enforcement. When police show up at a business site for financial matters, in real countries, 100% of the time they have evidence of a crime. And a warrant. 100%. This was a "show of force" and nothing else. A show of force for law abiding citizens where in the world does that make sense?
M0J0 4 months, 3 weeks ago
I don't see the issue, was the owner held at gun point? was the owner humiliated? If the owner is compliant, then what's the real issue?
ExposedU2C 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Yup, you fully qualify as a Heil Hitler kind of person ready for promotion to a senior position within the ranks of corrupt Davis's newly formed PLP Gestapo.
moncurcool 4 months, 3 weeks ago
You are not serious right?
If the owner is compliant, all the goon squad has to do is check the records at the relevant government offices.
This is intimidation.
But it easy not to see the issue, until they do it to you.
JokeyJack 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Govt can do this anytime they want cause people gah vote for them anyway. PLP & FNM.
ExposedU2C 4 months, 3 weeks ago
As was predicted in my comment below posted a week or so ago in connection with corrupt PM Davis's Hitler-like rantings.
"LET ME SUM THIS UP FOR ALL OF US:
THIS MOST CORRUPT DAVIS LED PLP GOVERNMENT IS NOW PROMOTING AND ENGAGED IN THE WEAPONIZATION OF ITS DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES IN AN ALL OUT ASSAULT AGAINST THE PEOPLE AND THEIR BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY THOSE IT PERCEIVES TO BE WEALTHIER AND MORE VULNERABLE TO BEING COERCED AND/OR EXTORTED UNDER THREAT OF THEIR PROPERTY BEING SEIZED AND CONFISCATED, OR THEIR BUSINESSES BEING ALTOGETHER SHUT DOWN, WITHOUT ANY REGARD FOR THE DUE PROCESS RIGHTS AFFORDED BY OUR CONSTITUTION.
AND TO THINK CORRUPT DAVIS AND HIS FAVOURED LOCAL CRONIES ARE AMONG THE BIGGEST TAX DODGERS IN OUR NATION, WITH THE SINISTER AND EVIL SNAKE AND THAT SLEASY THUG KNOWN AS KING SEBAS BEING THE SHINING EXAMPLES AMONG THEM.
IT'S HIGH TIME WE THE PEOPLE SEND DAVIS AND THE ELITIST HIERARCHY WITHIN PLP PARTY A MESSAGE THEY WILL NEVER FORGET."
Like corrupt Vomit Christie before, Stumpy Davis is now giving all Bahamians his "middle finger" knowing that the PLP are likely to lose at the polls in at least the next two national general elections. Yes indeed, it's going to be a very long time before the voters forget the blatant level of corruption associated with the elitist hierarchy of the PLP who always only care about their own greedy wants and needs.
pileit 4 months, 3 weeks ago
the childish name-calling weakens some otherwise good points. Its unnecessary amongst mature adults
ExposedU2C 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Point taken ........ not that it will matter much.
Most of the comments I post to this website concern known corrupt, unsavory, and immature government officials and their favoured despicable cronies/partners in the private sector, many of whom fully deserve to be dressed down from their preferred lofty titles like "The Right Honourable", "His Excellency", and so on.
If you find the name-calling highly offensive, then I would suggest you stop reading my comments. I don't read most of @Tal's comments only because they are usually unenlightening gibberish, but I do recognise everyone is entitled to their own writing style and form of communication absent abusive profanity.
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