Dear DIMP: It’s great that you are digitalizing, but what you really need to do is crack down on the number of errors that occur, so we don’t have to send you any objections.

Recently, DIMP sent out a new procedure by which taxpayers can file objections against additional assessments and/or monthly returns, effective November 1st.

Individual and companies can now file objections on line, via BO impuesto portal, Boi.

We can no longer send them letters.

What we have due monthly is the following: Profit Tax, Dividend Tax, Personal Income Tax, Ground Tax, Transfer Tax and gratefully Inheritance Tax was abolished.

What we have due monthly: BBO/BAVP/BAZV, Wage Tax, AOV/AWW/AZV premiums, Tourist Levy, Environmental Levy BBV, relevant companies also pay Gaming Tax and Tax on rentals.

DIMP sends out assessments frequently, sometimes more than twice, in separate mail envelopes demanding payments, which have already been paid.

I tried to send objections on my own, but most of the time they are ignored. They do not ignore the letters sent by my accountant, these they read.

So we reached an understanding that they invoice me for amounts already paid, I ask my accountant to object, he writes a Dutch letter, I pay him for his services.

Without complaining, last time for: Assistance with the overviews and preparation of request reduction tax assessments, I paid Awg 1,347.

DIMP promptly dropped the charges against me.

So that is exactly my point, It’s great that they are digitalizing, but what they really need to do is crack down on the number of errors that occur, so we don’t have to send them any objections.

A letter from the Aruban Association of Tax Consultants, directed to the Prime Minister of Aruba Her Excellency Mrs. E.C. Wever-Croes, The Minister of Finance and Culture Her Excellency Mrs. Maduro, and The Director of the Tax Authorities Mrs. L. Pieters Aruba, discussed the Introduction of electronic submission of objections, recently

While the AVvB is always in favor of expanding the possibilities for objection and appeal and welcomes further digitalization of government administration, there are some fundamental objections to the introduction of the online objection procedure in the way it is currently designed.

Funny. I chuckled.

According to AVvB its all wrong, because the General National Tax Ordinance does not include formal requirements with regards to notices of objection. It appears that notices of objection must be free of form, providing that it is clearly written and explained.

The Tax Authorities are therefore not free to limit the form of an objection to an electronic objection.

Anyway, I am not going to bore you, but the new arrangement, is not in the spirit of the law. DIMP cannot ban letters. The accountants asked for suspension of the new policy until further notice, until the issue is further discussed.

About the AHATA Excellence Award Ceremony 2023

According to Tisa LaSorte,  President and CEO of AHATA, the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association, and the organizer of the meticulously-executed event this last weekend, the evening was dedicated to the Excellence Award winners, individuals with a passion for service, and while work is not always easy, they waked up every day with a smile, leave their personal lives behind and spend the day making other people happy. Which is a noble calling, she adds. They go ahead and do their work, seriously and professionally, look for solutions, and drive the economic success of Aruba. It is also interesting to see where they hail from, the diversity of companies they work for and variety of positions they hold within the hospitality sector on our small island. They all play their part well, and Saturday night’s event was designed for them, to have fun, and know they are loved and appreciated.

Our people are the island’s greatest asset, said the Minister of Tourism and Public Health, Danguillaume Oduber, in his short address, just before dinner. They are affectionate, courteous and service-minded, and deliver a better tourism-product than any of our other competitor islands. Tonight, is a special night to thank them, they are who make it happen for Aruba. We would also like to motivate their colleagues to reach for excellence, and win the award next year. We are proud of our people, they work hard, they are our ambassadors of tourism, and the island today expresses gratitude and appreciation, for their colossal efforts.

I worked for 17 years in the private business on the island, says one of the award winners, Denise Harris, Amsterdam Manor,  I happen to talk to at the end of the event, on the sidewalk. I felt like wallpaper, she said. Then in the last two years I switched to hospitality. And imagine, I reached the highest level of accolades in just two years. I love my job and give it my all. I also went all out today, dress, shoes, hair, make up and nails, I made sure I looked like an Oscar winner tonight!

(It’s true they all looked glamorous, like Grammy/Oscar winners on stage!)

The official tourism industry award ceremony recognizing the extraordinary efforts made by top employees in the tourism sector, took place Saturday night. Winners were lauded for their commitment to service and the significant contributions they make to the island’s productive economy and successful tourism product, in 2023.

Each AHATA member company selected one employee from among their team members to be publicly recognized by the Aruba Hotel And Tourism Association for his/her exemplary dedication to his/her work place and its guests. During the elaborate dinner event, each honoree was invited to the stage to receives a trophy, a certificate, and a gift.

The evening unfolded at the Conference Center in Oranjestad, November 25th, 2023, supported by generous sponsors, Elite Productions & Entertainment; Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, venue sponsor, Balashi Brewery, beverage sponsor with more than 230 elegantly dressed and excited industry professionals in attendance.

Event specialist Irma Bijen and the AHATA team came up with a most gorgeous and creative décor. The evening features many lovely, unusual touches, that included a bag or cookies to go. Thank you!

All honorees and guests enjoyed a welcome flute of Prosecco and hors d’oeuvres in the ballroom reception area, sponsored by Balashi Brewery and served by the Renaissance Team. Befitting the occasion the honorees were paid extra attention: They were met at the foyer of the Renaissance Convention Center, guided through to the reception’s main entrance and warmly welcomed by the President and CEO of AHATA, Tisa LaSorte.

The welcome reception was entertained by a solo performance by Chris Kross, a famed local talent, while honorees got their pictures taken with their guests against the AHATA Excellence Awards backdrop. A second photographer and videographer team was busily taking candid shots and video, shown in the ballroom at the end of the evening’s formal part.

The evening emcee Larissa Bermudez, exuding Hollywood glamour, took to the stage in a red, off the shoulder evening gown. She skillfully took the ceremony through its different paces, introducing dignitaries and most importantly, the evening’s valued award recipients. She was again, a most perfect master of ceremonies, welcoming the Minister of Tourism, AHATA Board of Directors, Board of Directors of ATA, Aruba Tourism Authority, CEO of ATA, Ronella Croes, President & CEO of AHATA, Tisa LaSorte, members of AHATA, and sponsors.

Cloud 9, a musical combo with guitarist Chris Cross entertained during the evening with a curated playlist that evoked the perfect mood for the occasion. Aruba’s national anthem, as sung by Mtchll, the band’s lead vocalist, was a most appropriate opening for an evening recognizing Aruba’s best, all deserving individuals who so admirably represent dedication to our island.

The Renaissance team delivered a three course dinner and replenish red and white wine glasses efficiently. Compliments to the culinary brigade on a tasty Cajun Jumbo Shrimp appetizer, a beautifully plated Angus Beef Tenderloin with Cabernet Sauvignon sauce, truffled mashed potato and baby vegetable.

The extra special dessert, Dulce de Leche Cheesecake with bitter chocolate, provided the perfect sweet ending, to a refined evening.

More tomorrow!!

What CAft had to say about the amended Island budget

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/what-caft-had-to-say-about-the-amended-island-budget/

On the Eve of the Dutch General Elections

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/on-the-eve-of-the-dutch-general-elections/

The Omakase Experience, meaning I’ll leave it up to you, chef!

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/the-omakase-experience-meaning-ill-leave-it-up-to-you-chef/

No Money

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/no-money/

The Dutch Elections

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/the-dutch-elections/

I have a winning Ayaca recipe

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/i-have-a-winning-ayaca-recipe/

I call Maddy and she delivers, 10 with pica, 10 without.

But this year I dropped in to also see her in action

Maddy prepares the dough with chicken broth and Annatto.

The white Pan flour doesn’t look like anything – it’s simply white Mais flour but with the addition of nicely flavored chicken broth and the yellow-orange Annatto seed powder, it’s much more appetizing.

People don’t like a lot of the dough in the ayaka, they like the filling, Maddy explains.

PAN Harina is the key ingredient. PAN is the brand name, proposed at the time by Empresas Polar’s President, it’s an acronym, Producto Alimentacion Nacional, or National Food Product, mass consumed in Venezuelan arepas, empanadas, Ayacas, and bollitos.

The chicken is prepared and shredded ahead of time, Maddy continues, it is cooked with carrots, onions and celery, salt and pepper. Some raisins get mixed in after the shredding. The golden broth then goes into the gluten free flour.

I bet you forgot it was gluten free.

The plantain leaves come in packages from the Costa Rica, they must be thoroughly cleaned, scrubbed and all hard veins removed.  They should be wiped clean but not dry, when filled, rolled/folded and tied.

Dry leaves are brittle and won’t fold, says Maddy, that’s why we make Ayacas in small batches about a dozen at the time, so the leaves remain moist.

The patio at Maddy’s home was taken over for the assembly line. First the dough is broken into golf ball size portions then rolled out into thin discs, placed on top of a shiny dark green leaf, then filled with the shredded chicken laced with raisins, piccalilli, roasted cashews, dry prunes, pickles, pearl onions, pitted olives, capers and hot sauce optional.

It’s an industrial assembly line.

Then the bundles get tied neatly with twine.

And frozen.

To be heated up in boiling water for a few minutes before being unwrapped and served.

It’s a winning recipe each year. I bet it goes down smoothly with a Magic Mango.

Maddy starts her production line in November, she has a great number of family members clients, Christmas would not be the same without Ayacas.

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. currently operates more than 100 hotels in 34 countries and territories. For more information or reservations, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com, for the latest company updates, visit news.marriott.comand to join the live conversation, use #RCMemories and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR). The Ritz-Carlton is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Momentsand unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.com.Marriott International, Inc.Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of approximately 8,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.marriott.com/, and for the latest company news, visit http://www.marriottnewscenter.com/. In addition, connect with us on Facebookand @MarriottIntl on Twitterand Instagram.

Media Contact:Yahira Santoni Multi-Property Director of CommunicationsYahira.Santoni@marriottluxurybrands.com