By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

VICE Speaker Justo S. Quitugua says the CNMI government should go after tax evaders which could be a good source of revenue.
Quitugua, in an interview, said that if the government would focus on tax delinquent taxpayers, millions of dollars might be recovered by the CNMI.
He said he could not recall the last time the government filed a tax evasion case or went after employers for back taxes.
With economic conditions the way they are, the administration should consider taking this step — go after tax evaders and file charges against them,” he told Variety.
“There are a lot of delinquent taxpayers here and a majority are businesspeople…if these taxes are all collected, we can consider it as new revenue for the government,” he said. “This is a win-win situation and will be beneficial not only to the businesses and the government but to the community as a whole”
The CNMI government is projecting a $14.6 million revenue shortfall this fiscal year as the local economy continues to worsen.
Quitugua said in “addressing this $14.6 million projected revenue shortfall…going after delinquent and tax evaders will be a big help.”
Revenue shortfall refers to projected collections that were not received by the administration in a given period of time.