The operators of a local media house are scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday for tax evasion.


The owners of the Sunday Herald Newspaper, New Media Communications and its Principal Desmond Richards will return to the Sutton Street Tax Court for failing to pay over taxes.


The parties appeared in Court last month for breaches of the Income Tax, Education Tax, General Consumption Tax and Company Tax Acts.

The Tax Administration Department said the case was brought before the Sutton Street Court after all attempts to arrive at a settlement failed.

During the hearing, the attorneys for New Media requested time to make suitable payment arrangements.

However this was denied by Resident Magistrate Owen Parkin, who indicated that the Inland Revenue Department had given enough time.

The court then ordered that nearly $36 million for GCT and $58,000 for Company Tax be paid in six monthly installments.

The order takes effect on Thursday.

The Tax Department says if the parties default on the court order, more drastic action will be taken.

In the criminal matters relating to PAYE and Education Tax, the company and the director were each summoned to answer to 136 offences brought by the tax authorities, resulting from failure to pay for the period 2003 to 2008.