~ ‘We need the money’ ~
PHILIPSBURG–Finance Minister Perry Geerlings made it clear on Wednesday that the deadline for payment of the 2019 motor vehicle tax will not be extended, as government is in need of the funds.
The deadline for payment by law was February 28. In response to a question during the Council of Ministers press briefing, Geerlings said motorists should be in compliance with the law.
“We have seen all these long lines in front of the [government – Ed.] building. … We have seen long lines in Simpson Bay, and not only myself, but when I talk to people in the street everyone is saying the same thing: ‘Why are we waiting until the last moment (to pay)?’
“Why should the government, every year, come with an extension? We need the money and everyone needs to oblige and pick up their responsibility,” Geerlings said when asked whether the deadline will be extended.
“For right now, no, there is no extension. I guess those who are coming in [now, to pay] have to dodge the bullet if police are stopping them on the street.”
He stressed to motorists that “we really need that income. You need to be in compliance with the law. Do your duty as a citizen to country and people. It is your risk to be on the road without proper documentation.”
Persons who failed to pay their 2019 motor vehicle tax by the February 28 deadline stand to lose their plates.
The 2019 number plates, which are yellow in colour, have “50 Years of Carnival 2019” emblazoned at the top and “St. Maarten” at the bottom.
Sections of the community are against the plates, particularly persons who, due to their religious and personal convictions, do not promote Carnival. These persons have the option of using specially-ordered windshield stickers. All motorists will receive their number plates along with their stickers, as receiving the plates is mandatory. Persons who opt to not place their 2019 plates on their vehicles should at all times have them in their vehicles.
A total of 33,278 sets of plates for motor vehicles and 1,000 motorbike plates have been ordered for this year.
The plates cost NAf. 12.50 for all types of vehicles and NAf. 7.50 for motorbikes. There are no additional fees for the stickers.
Motorists with number plates M, P, SXM, MR (ministers) and PAR (parliament) will be expected to pay NAf. 275 in motor vehicle tax for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel-fuel-operated ones.
Motorists with R plates will pay NAf. 300 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel-fuel-operated vehicles.
Taxis, BUS, G (group) and T (tour buses with 35 passengers or less) pay NAf. 275 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 550 for diesel-fuel-operated vehicles.
Vehicles with V and Z plates that weigh more than 3,500kg will pay NAf. 1,250 for gasoline- or diesel-fuel-operated vehicles. Vehicles with V plates that weigh less than 3,500kg will pay NAf. 275 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel-fuel-operated vehicles.
Persons with MF (motorbike) plates will pay NAf. 200 and those with MF (mopeds) will pay NAf. 50 in motor vehicle tax.
A valid insurance document and inspection card will be needed for payment to be processed.
Motor vehicle tax payment can be made at the Receiver’s Office cashiers at the Government Building, and plates and stickers can be picked up at the old Receiver’s Office building on Pond Island next to University of St. Martin (USM).
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/85781-geerlings-no-extension-of-vehicle-tax-deadline
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