The legislative opposition in Costa Rica has once again submitted a replacement text for the law against tax fraud, eliminating from the project the seizure of bank accounts of companies suspected of tax evasion.
With the motion filed by the opposition deputies are aiming to prevent the Directorate General of Taxation from having the capacity to seize or ask a judge to seize bank accounts of taxpayers suspected of tax evasion.
In Costa Rica the bill against tax fraud has removed the power of the tax authorities to collect and put in place embargoes through an administrative decision.
Instead, members of the ruling party will support the proposal that tax debts be resolved in the courts, "... as the Ministry of Finance negotiated with representatives of the National Liberation Front party (PLN), Social Unit Cristian Party (PUSC) and the Libertarian Movement Party.
In Costa Rica the majority of MPs are opposed to the bill which would give the Treasury the ability to penalize delinquent taxpayers, a measure considered unique to the judiciary.
The Government will have to amend the draft law to improve the fight against tax fraud if it wants the Legislature to approve it. The opposition is mainly relted to the fact that the project would grant the ability to make charges and put in place embargoes without a court order, and there are also "... objections to tax advisers being made to pay part of the taxpayers debts, if the Administration considers that they gave the wrong advice."
A bill to improve the fight against tax fraud authorizes the tax authorities to seize the assets and bank accounts of delinquent taxpayers, without a warrant from a judge.
An article in Nacion.com reports that the Technical Services Department of the Legislative Assembly has proposed a rule that "... could affect property rights and the privacy of individuals because it would allow Taxation officials to take possession of any money deposited in bank accounts, income from salaries and pensions. " and all this "... without a warrant, the Tax Administration would be able to seize assets and enter business establishments."
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