Long lines to hand in property tax forms

Many property owners told Newsday they did not want to wait until the last minute on May 22, to file their documents. They lamented that there were so many others with similar sentiments as evidenced by extremely long lines outside the office.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert had said all property tax forms must be submitted to Valuation Division offices by May 22, as the Valuations Act of 2009 gives the Commissioner of Valuations power to “require all land owners to submit a return and all supporting information.” Property owners are required to submit an assessment form and several documents, including a lease or deed along with a WASA or electricity bill and their last land and building tax receipt.

There are eight Valuation Division offices throughout the country.

Mother of three, Anne-Marie Jaikaran of Marabella said she decided to visit the office yesterday because she wanted to avoid the rush. “I came here about 9 am and I saw this long line and I wanted to turn back, but I stayed and surprisingly, the lines are long but they are moving fast,” she said.

Jaikaran, 44, said the staff were assisting people who didn’t know what to do, particularly the pensioners.

“The process took like about 30 minutes. You just have to walk with your documents in an envelope and make sure your name is on it and then you are given a receipt and that is it,” she told Newsday.

Jaikaran said that she believes the receipt is very important.

“You have the proof that you submitted your documents and no one can say they lost it,” she said.

Property owners were also given the option of avoiding the lines and submitting their forms in a box.

Father of three, Marlon Waithe, 44, said people were very careful and very few had opted to submit their documents via the drop off box.

“This is Trinidad and somehow things go missing and without proof, no one knows for sure that you submitted the form,” he said.

Waithe said he believes that people are also panicking and no one wants to be penalised for not abiding by the law.