Guatemalan agricultural exporters have questioned the measure taken by the Treasury to seize bank accounts in order to recover unpaid taxes, arguing that it is affecting their operations.
Arguing that the measure is attached to the law, the Tax Administration has defended its right to take injunctive measures such as seizing bank accounts in order to recover taxes that companies have stopped paying.
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.
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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