PHILIPSBURG:---  Certified Risk Analyst and Tax Expert Terence Jandroep (CRA, CQA, CLA) has formally raised concerns about a critical procedural discrepancy that may significantly impact the admissibility of tax protest letters within Sint Maarten and the broader Dutch Caribbean.
Confusion regarding the applicable protest period under tax law is at the heart of the issue. Article 29.1 of the Federal Tax Legislation – within the section governing protest and appeals – clearly mandates that taxpayers must file a protest letter within sixty (60) days of receiving a tax assessment. In practice, this equates to a maximum of fifty-nine (59) calendar days, or fewer if the final day falls on a weekend. This deadline is consistently stated on the reverse side of all official tax assessment notices.
However, a conflicting interpretation has emerged following the verdict in case CUR201900128, handed down by the Tax Court of Curaçao on 16 March 2020. In that case, the Court ruled that when a tax liability is communicated via a listing obtained from the Receivers’ Office, the deadline for submitting a protest is shortened to two (2) weeks – effectively 13 days.

This interpretation directly contradicts Article 29.1, which states that the standard 60-day period applies following receipt of a tax debt confirmation, regardless of the communication channel.
Despite awareness of the CUR201900128 decision, the Tax Authorities have reportedly failed to update their tax assessment notices, website, or public communications to reflect the shortened protest term where applicable. As a result, taxpayers relying on the statutory 60-day period may find their protests deemed inadmissible when based on Receivers’ Office listings—stripping them of the right to challenge assessments before the Tax Court.
The existence of this conflicting interpretation only came to broader attention in 2024 ( for the first time known), when the ruling was cited by the Tax Office in rejecting a protest submitted outside the two-week window.
To address this legal inconsistency and protect the due process rights of taxpayers, Mr. Jandroep recommends that the Tax Authorities in Sint Maarten declare a transitional period for the years 2020 through 2025 for taxpayers that became of their tax debt via the Receiver’s Listing. After this time, all tax-related documents should clearly indicate the correct deadlines for filing protests, depending on the method of communication, to prevent taxpayers from unknowingly forfeiting their rights.
“This situation creates unnecessary legal uncertainty and exposes both individuals and businesses to financial risk, simply due to a lack of proper notice,” said Jandroep. “This undermines the principles of equal protection and fair treatment embedded within the Federal Tax Legislative framework.”
As a provisional remedy, Mr. Jandroep urges all taxpayers to submit pro forma protest letters immediately upon receipt of any tax-related notification—especially when that information is obtained through the Receivers’ Office. This precaution may help preserve their right to appeal while awaiting formal clarification from the authorities.

With this article, Certified Risk Analyst Jandroep exposed a hidden procedural flaw that threatens significant financial setbacks for thousands of taxpayers across the Dutch Caribbean regarding Tax compliance.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Tzu Chi Foundation St. Maarten and Leaders for Change joined forces recently to provide urgent support for an elderly couple living in dire conditions. They delivered food, cleaned their home, and restored basic dignity and comfort.

 The effort began when Ashma Berkel, founder of Leaders for Change, discovered that Mary Etienne had gone five days without eating. Moved by compassion, she quickly reached out to the Tzu Chi Foundation. A home visit was arranged, where both Etienne, born May 7, 1948, and her husband Philip Prunes, born December 1954, were found in desperate need.

 The couple, both diabetic and physically weak, were living in extremely poor and unsafe conditions. Prunes, an amputee who lost both legs, was unable to care for himself. The house had no functioning toilet, a stove on the floor, and a kitchen overrun with ants and roaches. The smell of urine filled the air, and the couple had no food.

 In response, Tzu Chi committed to providing breakfast and lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Ms. Davina, a concerned community member, offered meals on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Berkel and Leaders for Change took responsibility for Sundays, ensuring the couple would receive daily meals.

  Recognising that food alone would not be enough, Berkel organised a home cleanup effort for Sunday, April 6. Volunteers from Leaders for Change and Tzu Chi Foundation came together at 9:00AM to clean the space, remove trash, sanitize surfaces, and restore safety and comfort.

 Tzu Chi volunteers were the first to arrive, bringing a warm spinach patty and a cup of coffee for Etienne. When offered the coffee, her face lit up as she said joyfully, “I love coffee!” She ate quickly, clearly hungry. Grateful for the help, she said, “I’m not a lazy person. I just can’t move properly. No one came to help me yet... Thank you so much for coming.”

 At around 11:00AM, Berkel arrived with two men who repaired and replaced the broken toilet, leaving the bathroom sparkling clean. During the cleanup, Sister Louise Chin donated a second-hand queen-size bed to replace the old, soiled one. Berkel gently helped Etienne outside while volunteers changed the bedding.

 To further improve the home, Berkel brought in new carpets, and Davina donated three shelves to help organize the cluttered space. Volunteers finished their work by 1:00 PM and made sure to remove all garbage before leaving.

 “I have no words to describe how I feel... just thank you, thank you,” Etienne said. “It’s not just about food or cleaning. It’s about showing love, respect, and restoring the dignity of our elders,” said Tzu Chi Commissioner Sandra Cheung representative.

 According to a press release, this compassionate collaboration is a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when community organizations work together with one heart and one goal: to care for those most in need

- A Celebration of Community and Commitment~

Telem unveils its refreshed brand identity, marking the beginning of a new chapter that celebrates the heart of the island it serves.

Pond Island:--- Telem proudly introduces its refreshed brand identity, unveiled during one of the island’s biggest celebrations—the St. Maarten Carnival. As the only telecom provider owned by the people of St. Maarten, it was important for Telem to mark this moment in a way that reflects the heart and soul of the community it serves.

The refreshed brand identity includes a cleaner, more modern logo and a brand-new “t!” icon—a vibrant symbol of Telem’s renewed energy, clarity, and forward momentum. This evolution honors the company’s legacy while embracing its future as an integrated digital service provider.

“At Telem, connection has always gone beyond signals and networks—it’s about people. This refresh represents our renewed promise to stay connected to what matters most: the community, the culture, and the island. With ongoing investments in cutting-edge digital solutions, we are committed to enhancing the telecommunications experience for all residents and visitors,” the Telem marketing team explains.

“From today, everyone will notice a cleaner, more modern Telem logo and a brand-new ‘t!’ icon—a vibrant symbol of Telem’s renewed energy, clarity, and forward momentum,” the team adds. “This is a meaningful moment for us. We’ve been part of St. Maarten’s story for decades, and this update is about carrying that legacy forward. Carnival felt like the perfect time to share it—with the people who’ve been with us every step of the way.”

With the message “Your Island. Your Network.” and the proud declaration “From St. Maarten, For St. Maarten,” the brand refresh celebrates Telem’s deep roots and bold ambitions. It marks the beginning of a new era defined by continued investment in St. Maarten’s digital future.

Join us in celebrating St. Maarten's vibrant culture and incredible people this Carnival—follow @telemsxm to be part of the journey.

PHILIPSBURG ---The Permanent Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Inter-Parliamentary Relations (CKAIR) of Parliament will meet on April 14, 2025.

The Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday at 10.00hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:

1. Incoming documents
2. Appointment of a vice-chairman of the committee
3. Discussion on the documents related to the proposed Windward Islands Economic Union in preparation for the SSS Cooperative meeting (IS/623/2024-2025 dated February 18, 2025)
4. Preparations for the SSS Cooperative meeting to be held in The Bottom, Saba from April 15-17, 2025

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx