PHILIPSBURG:--- Pending the implementation of the ongoing tax reform, taxpayers will now have the opportunity to settle their outstanding income taxes through a payment arrangement with a standard period of 24 months, once the assessment has been determined, instead of the maximum period of 9 months currently being applied. This was announced by the Honorable Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs.
The new flexible approach is guided by the theme, “Stabilize, Repair, Reform: A Phased Approach to Tax Reform and System Renewal.” It applies exclusively to individual taxpayers and relates solely to outstanding income tax assessments. It does not apply to businesses, corporate taxpayers, or any other types of taxes, including wage tax, turnover tax, or profit tax. The measure is intended to better reflect the economic realities and payment capacity of individuals and households in Sint Maarten.

According to the Minister, this temporary approach will be in effect until December 31, 2026. Separate and targeted measures to address concerns within the business community are currently being developed and will be made public at a later date.
“I want to emphasize that I fully support strong and joint compliance efforts to ensure that taxes are paid and that the tax system functions effectively,” Minister Marinka Gumbs stated. “However, at the same time, it is clear that existing collection measures need to be modernized to better reflect current economic realities and taxpayers’ ability to pay.”
“These two objectives,” she went on, “go hand in hand: maintaining compliance while ensuring that collection practices are fair, reasonable, and workable in today’s context.”

The Receiver, she stressed, will continue to collect outstanding taxes in accordance with existing laws. The Receiver cannot waive or reduce tax debts but may grant deferrals of payment where appropriate for individual income taxpayers.
“I acknowledge that due to limitations in existing procedures and systems, the Receiver is currently unable to effectuate automatic tax refunds,” the Minister stated. “Furthermore, delays in the annual tax process have resulted in individual taxpayers sometimes receiving multiple years of assessments within a single calendar year, leading to unexpected and cumulative payment obligations that are difficult to meet within a short period.”
The Minister recognized that this situation has contributed to significant financial stress for many households, particularly given the damaging effects of the hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing financial burdens families face, including the high cost of living, rising utility costs, and the challenges surrounding GEBE. She noted that these cumulative pressures have affected the payment capacity of many individual taxpayers and must be acknowledged in shaping a fair and realistic collection approach.

“While it is true that it is the responsibility of each citizen to file and pay their taxes in a timely manner, it is also evident that the current collection ordinances are outdated and no longer fully reflect the present fiscal and economic circumstances of Sint Maarten,” she noted.
Under current practice, the Receiver applies a maximum deferral term of nine months without requiring a payment capacity test. Where such a test is required, it is based on a DB 35 form that assesses income, expenditures, and assets. Feedback from individual taxpayers gathered during the Minister’s Finance Friday engagements indicates that the nine-month term is often too short, that the DB 35 process is perceived as administratively burdensome, and that some taxpayers have entered into agreements they knew in advance they could not realistically meet.
This is why the Minister has introduced this temporary approach, effective until December 31, 2026, allowing individual income taxpayers who request a payment arrangement to be granted payment terms of up to 24 months without the requirement to submit a DB 35 payment capacity test. Taxpayers who prefer a shorter payment period may also request this.

In addition, the Minister noted that this temporary adjustment will also allow the hard-working Collection Officers to deploy their limited collection capacity more effectively. By offering realistic payment terms to individual taxpayers willing to comply, the Receiver and collection staff can focus their enforcement efforts on non-compliance and deliberate non-payment. This targeted approach strengthens overall compliance while reducing unnecessary administrative pressure on both taxpayers and tax employees.
While the Tax Administration continues to work toward implementing a new integrated tax IT system and modernizing its processes, the Minister considers it appropriate to temporarily adopt a more realistic, understandable, and humane approach to payment arrangements for individual income taxpayers.
In the interest of transparency and good governance, the Minister also confirmed that the adjusted collection policy will be formally documented and published. Clear publication of the applicable rules and conditions ensures that taxpayers understand their rights and obligations, promotes equal treatment, and strengthens public trust in the administration of the tax system.

“The intention is to reduce hardship, limit the need for coercive measures such as summons, liens, attachments, and auctions, and promote voluntary compliance by taxpayers who are willing to pay but require more reasonable timelines to do so,” Minister Marinka Gumbs concluded.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunication (TEATT) hereby informs the public that applications for Carnival 2026 vending in Philipsburg are officially open as of Monday, February 16th, 2026.

Booth Placement
For the 2026 Carnival season, vending booths will be permitted only along the designated stretch between Ketty’s Kitchen and Fat Boy Jimmy’s Grill.

Please be advised that food trucks will not be permitted to operate along W.J. Walter Nisbeth Road (from GEBE onward) this year.

Application Collection
Applications can be downloaded online (see below) or collected in person at the Department of Economic Licenses’ Service Desk (window B), Government Administration Building, during the following hours:
• Daily: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• Collection period: February 16th through February 23rd, 2026

Submission Deadline
Completed applications must be returned in person no later than:
Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, at 12:00 PM (noon).

Applications must be fully completed at the time of submission. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. After 12:00 PM on February 24th, 2026, no further applications will be received.

Please note:
Applications cannot/must not be submitted through the Economic Licenses online portal. Any applications submitted online will not be considered.

The Ministry encourages all interested vendors to apply early and adhere strictly to the established timeline and application guidelines to ensure a safe, orderly, and successful Carnival season for all.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The community of St. Peter's and the wider Sint Maarten is grappling with profound grief and fear following the fatal police shooting of Mr. Rudy Benjamin. This tragic event has left a family without a loved one and a community shaken, raising urgent questions about the actions of law enforcement and the systems designed to protect citizens. In the wake of this loss, a unified call for transparency, accountability, and justice is growing louder.
Concerned citizens have formally addressed the Minister of Justice and other key officials, outlining the deep-seated anxieties that this incident has brought to the surface. This is not just a request for information; it is a demand for the fundamental principles of justice to be upheld. The community deserves clear, unambiguous answers about the circumstances that led to Mr. Benjamin’s death.
At the heart of the community's plea are several critical demands for a transparent and impartial process. Residents are asking for a full and independent investigation into the incident. This includes a detailed timeline of events, clarification on the legal justification for using lethal force, and an explanation of whether de-escalation tactics were attempted. Trust can only be rebuilt when the public is assured that every aspect of the operation is thoroughly and honestly examined.
Furthermore, the call for accountability extends to the procedures that followed the shooting. Questions about the immediate securing of the scene, the preservation of evidence, and the integrity of the forensic investigation are paramount. To ensure complete impartiality, citizens have requested that all involved officers be suspended from active duty while the investigation is pending—a standard practice to maintain the credibility of such a sensitive inquiry.
This incident also highlights Sint Maarten's obligations under international human rights standards, including the fundamental right to life. The UN provides clear principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement, emphasizing that they must be used only as a measure of last resort and governed by necessity and proportionality. An effective, independent investigation is not just a request; it is a requirement when a life is lost at the hands of state agents.
Given public concerns about transparency in official institutions, the demand for an external investigative body, separate from the police force, is a crucial step toward restoring public trust. The community is not seeking to undermine the police but to reinforce the rule of law that binds everyone equally. True justice ensures that those who enforce the law are also held accountable by it.
The path forward requires a genuine commitment from our authorities. It begins with clear and consistent communication about the steps being taken to investigate this tragedy. It involves protecting witnesses who come forward and ensuring that, if wrongdoing is found, there are meaningful consequences.
The family of Rudy Benjamin, his children, and the entire community of St. Peters deserve the truth. They deserve to see that justice is not just a concept but a reality for every citizen. We call upon the authorities to address these legitimate concerns with the seriousness and urgency they require. The time for answers is now. The time for justice is now.

Simpson Bay:--- Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company (PJIAE) hosted a special Seniors Movie Night on Friday evening, welcoming 60 elderly members of the Sint Maarten community for a screening of War Room in celebration of Valentine’s week.

In recognition of Valentine’s Day — a time dedicated to love, appreciation, and connection — PJIAE extended its celebration beyond travelers and staff to honor the island’s elderly community, ensuring they felt valued, welcomed, and celebrated. The airport proudly transformed its check-in hall into a warm cinema-style atmosphere, creating a memorable night out designed especially for the seniors who laid the foundation of Sint Maarten.

The seniors, representing the White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation and the Sint Maarten Senior Citizens Recreational Foundation, were welcomed in the PJIAE check-in hall from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM for an evening dedicated to appreciation and connection. Bus transportation was arranged for invited guests to ensure their comfort and ease of attendance.

The initiative reflects PJIAE’s commitment to community engagement and social responsibility, honoring the invaluable contributions of the generation whose dedication, resilience, and hard work helped shape and build the island’s foundation. The organization emphasized the importance of continuing to recognize and care for Sint Maarten’s seniors, whose legacy remains deeply rooted in the island’s progress and identity. PJIAE reaffirmed that its doors will always remain open to the generation that helped build the community it proudly serves today.

Guests were welcomed by Cassie Schoutens, Corporate Communication Officer of PJIAE, alongside co-host Shudeiska Priest. In her opening remarks, Ms. Schoutens highlighted the importance of recognizing and appreciating the island’s senior community.
“As an airport, we are more than just planes and passengers; we are deeply connected to the community we serve. This evening is dedicated to honoring the generation whose hard work, resilience, and dedication helped shape Sint Maarten into what it is today. Because of them, we are where we are.”

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a shared dining experience featuring pasta courtesy of Domino’s Pizza, along with refreshments thoughtfully served by airport volunteers and staff who ensured each attendee felt welcomed and well cared for. A special highlight of the evening was the dedicated service of ushers Michael Ferrier, Marcel Gumbs, Connaly Conner, and Keith Franca, who provided attentive support to the seniors throughout the event, helping to create a warm, respectful, and dignified experience for all present.

Airport staff enthusiastically supported the initiative, expressing that serving the seniors who helped build St. Maarten was both an honor and a source of great pride. The evening reflected a meaningful exchange of appreciation and respect between staff and seniors, reinforcing the airport’s deep connection with the community and its people.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, each senior received a rose at the conclusion of the screening as a heartfelt token of appreciation and gratitude. PJIAE Chief Executive Officer Michael Cleaver expressed pride in the initiative, noting that paying tribute to the generation that helped build St. Maarten reflects the organization’s core values and its enduring commitment to community engagement.

The evening also received heartfelt appreciation from the senior community. Mr. Malcolm Cooper of the Senior Citizens Recreational Committee extended his sincere thanks to Mr. Cleaver, PJIAE, and the airport staff for organizing an enjoyable evening and expressed his anticipation for future initiatives that continue to support and celebrate Sint Maarten’s seniors.

Through initiatives such as Seniors Movie Night, Princess Juliana International Airport continues to reaffirm its role not only as a gateway to the world but as an active, caring, and dedicated partner within the Sint Maarten community, committed to honoring the past, serving the present, and building a stronger future together.