Puerto Rico publishes delinquent taxpayer list for 1st time
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico is for the first time publishing a list of delinquent taxpayers in hopes of recovering a portion of government-owed revenue amid a worsening economic crisis.
Treasury Secretary Juan Zaragoza said Wednesday that the list represents those who owe more than US$50,000 worth of sales tax. The move comes as the island’s Treasury Department carries out weekly crackdowns on businesses suspected of illegally retaining tax revenues. Those on the list include a parking company that owes more than US$2 million.
Zaragoza said his department will soon publish similar lists of those who owe other types of taxes.
The US territory is facing a decade-long economic crisis and is pushing to restructure a US$70-billion public debt the governor has said is unpayable.
