Post by kaya on Oct 27, 2007 16:28:10 GMT -5
Tax tension
Beenie Man's publicist, Shocking Vibes at odds over deejay's latest worry
ROLAND HENRY, Observer staff reporter henryr@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, October 26, 2007
BEENIE MAN. said to owe $47 million in back taxes
The state's claim of $47-million in back taxes owed by dancehall artiste Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis has created tension between his former production house, Shocking Vibes, and his publicist, Ray Alexander.
Yesterday, Shocking Vibes was taken to task by Alexander who accused the record company of contributing to the artiste's non-payment of taxes. He in fact said that Shocking Vibes ought to take responsibility for the money owed.
"Beenie Man never saw much of the money he made," said Alexander. "If he went up (abroad) to do a show, the road manager would collect [the money], give it to Patrick (Roberts) who would use it to pay everybody."
Alexander added that Beenie Man would be paid on a weekly or monthly basis - much like what is done in most companies - and only approached management for larger spends on things like homes or cars.
"He wasn't responsible for anything," explained Alexander.
Though he did not refute or acknowledge Alexander's claims, Roberts, Shocking Vibes impresario and Beenie Man's former manager, when asked if this was true, seemed somewhat flustered before answering.
ROBERTS. whatever is due we'll pay it
"Once you employ people you must pay them, wherever the income comes from," Roberts said. Notwithstanding, Roberts noted that despite their differences, he is prepared to stand by the artiste during the case.
The Tax Administration Department has said that the artiste owes income taxes that have not been paid since 1996. According to the claim, the artiste owes the state $47 million, $29 million of which is unpaid taxes with penalty of $18 million.
But Roberts has argued that the tax claim was inaccurate.
"They are assessing his income incorrectly," an irate Roberts told Splash yesterday. "In my position, I submitted a letter to the Ministry of Finance explaining that I was not pleased with the assessment."
He added that the ministry responded by saying they were looking into the matter, and that "no further action would be taken against the artiste until the conclusion of the case".
Roberts expressed surprise at the court ordeal, and the figure, he believes, is "exaggerated".
"It's not a situation where Moses was trying to evade his responsibilities," said Roberts, noting that he is obligated to protect Beenie Man since he (Beenie Man) is still a director at Shocking Vibes.
"Regardless of the fact that he's doing his own bookings now, he got a place in Shocking Vibes," added the producer.
The Shocking Vibes executive continued to speak of what he said was the "over-quoted figure", saying that $29 million "cannot be 33 per cent of what Beenie has made in the last 10 years".
Roberts maintained that much of the glitzy and glamorous lifestyle the artiste boasts of is often imaginary.
"Beenie Man has never sold gold, even though he says so... it's just talk and hype," added Roberts. "Virgin (Records) drop him because he's turned out to be a dismal failure."
Added Roberts: "As his former manager, I'm still awaiting the ministry on their reply and whatever is due we'll pay it."
The tax court on Tuesday issued a warrant for the immediate arrest of the international recording star since he did not appear in the Sutton Street Tax Court to tell how he would clear up the arrears.
Alexander told Splash that the artiste is in New York and would be flying from there to the Dominican Republic before coming home on Monday.
Asked if Beenie Man would be arrested on arrival in Jamaica, Alexander said the artiste was in conversation with the authorities.
SOURCE:www.jamaicaobserver.com
Beenie Man's publicist, Shocking Vibes at odds over deejay's latest worry
ROLAND HENRY, Observer staff reporter henryr@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, October 26, 2007
BEENIE MAN. said to owe $47 million in back taxes
The state's claim of $47-million in back taxes owed by dancehall artiste Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis has created tension between his former production house, Shocking Vibes, and his publicist, Ray Alexander.
Yesterday, Shocking Vibes was taken to task by Alexander who accused the record company of contributing to the artiste's non-payment of taxes. He in fact said that Shocking Vibes ought to take responsibility for the money owed.
"Beenie Man never saw much of the money he made," said Alexander. "If he went up (abroad) to do a show, the road manager would collect [the money], give it to Patrick (Roberts) who would use it to pay everybody."
Alexander added that Beenie Man would be paid on a weekly or monthly basis - much like what is done in most companies - and only approached management for larger spends on things like homes or cars.
"He wasn't responsible for anything," explained Alexander.
Though he did not refute or acknowledge Alexander's claims, Roberts, Shocking Vibes impresario and Beenie Man's former manager, when asked if this was true, seemed somewhat flustered before answering.
ROBERTS. whatever is due we'll pay it
"Once you employ people you must pay them, wherever the income comes from," Roberts said. Notwithstanding, Roberts noted that despite their differences, he is prepared to stand by the artiste during the case.
The Tax Administration Department has said that the artiste owes income taxes that have not been paid since 1996. According to the claim, the artiste owes the state $47 million, $29 million of which is unpaid taxes with penalty of $18 million.
But Roberts has argued that the tax claim was inaccurate.
"They are assessing his income incorrectly," an irate Roberts told Splash yesterday. "In my position, I submitted a letter to the Ministry of Finance explaining that I was not pleased with the assessment."
He added that the ministry responded by saying they were looking into the matter, and that "no further action would be taken against the artiste until the conclusion of the case".
Roberts expressed surprise at the court ordeal, and the figure, he believes, is "exaggerated".
"It's not a situation where Moses was trying to evade his responsibilities," said Roberts, noting that he is obligated to protect Beenie Man since he (Beenie Man) is still a director at Shocking Vibes.
"Regardless of the fact that he's doing his own bookings now, he got a place in Shocking Vibes," added the producer.
The Shocking Vibes executive continued to speak of what he said was the "over-quoted figure", saying that $29 million "cannot be 33 per cent of what Beenie has made in the last 10 years".
Roberts maintained that much of the glitzy and glamorous lifestyle the artiste boasts of is often imaginary.
"Beenie Man has never sold gold, even though he says so... it's just talk and hype," added Roberts. "Virgin (Records) drop him because he's turned out to be a dismal failure."
Added Roberts: "As his former manager, I'm still awaiting the ministry on their reply and whatever is due we'll pay it."
The tax court on Tuesday issued a warrant for the immediate arrest of the international recording star since he did not appear in the Sutton Street Tax Court to tell how he would clear up the arrears.
Alexander told Splash that the artiste is in New York and would be flying from there to the Dominican Republic before coming home on Monday.
Asked if Beenie Man would be arrested on arrival in Jamaica, Alexander said the artiste was in conversation with the authorities.
SOURCE:www.jamaicaobserver.com