This weekend was a complete scandal due to very long lines, not only at the tax department, but also at the various auxiliary tax offices around the island. The reason behind all of these long lines is one and the same: payment of the motor vehicle tax.
Various surprising reports were received at our Editorial office that, after the Minister of Economic affairs and finances announced a change in the deadline date, on Monday and Tuesday there was no one in line outside the tax office.
On Friday we received numerous calls that, once again, the tax office was treating people inhumanely. There were long lines which violated Covid-19 safety guidelines and in addition to a large amount of commentary and stories of people calling to say that they’re appalled by the terrible service at DIMP.
However, it may also be fair to mention that the Aruban culture oftentimes leaves important tasks till the last minute. This results in a rush of people storing to pay their motor vehicle tax five minutes before 12.
In this case, it is not DIMP that is to blame, but the citizen who is late. It may be the case that some people do have a valid reason to pay earlier, perhaps they do not have the funds. But there are people that always wait till the last minute to come and pay their License plate number, causing these long lines.
This is unacceptable during the pandemic we are currently living in. There are other ways available. Payment can be done online, or at an earlier date. A week earlier the tax office was empty. The Government succumbed to the commentary and immediately changed the date.
On Monday This resulted in an apparent lack of necessity to pay their license plates. Inevitably this situation will arrive again this Friday as the deadline approaches again. Once again, everybody will line up in long lines, whilst complaining and angry, some will be breaking the curfew to arrive before dawn to come and pay their license plates. Is this all really necessary? That remains the question of the day.
