Originally posted in Facebook - Perplexing things about Persons - Jan 3, 2017

Here are some  of those perplexing things about some persons:

 a) they like to work

 b) they like working in different industries

 c) they like working in different locations at different times of the year

 d) they may like working in positions that most persons think that would not be a good fit for them, however that position might actually be the one to hold them...

 If you know anyone who might fit into this category, please send them this message either privately or ask them if they see themselves in any one of the above points... :)

Originally posted in Facebook - Payroll Applications & End of Year - January 3, 2017

A few years ago, in learning about a Payroll application or software I learnt about the joys of end of year close in Payroll.

Now in Trinidad and Tobago, the end of the year for payroll occurs in December. For some industries that (End of Year Payroll) may be an especially challenging time as some of the locations open on December 31 into Jan 1 and many of the employees are either fortnightly paid or are paid as short term employees. 

Thus there are challenges as persons are tired, "cash tightly managed", (remember taxes are due and there are additional costs) and expectations are high. 

Also at the start of the new year, there are other current needs which are expected to be met on time such as the first fortnight's payroll... 

So with all of those expectations, how do we settle in to the start of the year in a healthy way for everyone?

Update to the Post on Trinidad and Tobago in Wikipedia - Jan 3, 2017

Double Taxation Relief Treaties and Tax Information (Declared Agreements) 1969 - 1999[edit source]

Trinidad and Tobago has entered into Double Taxation Relief Treaties with several countries during the period 1969 to 1999. Legal Notices are made by the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and allow for the introduction of the Treaty into the Income Tax Act of the country which is covered under Chapter 75:01. The Treaties are adopted or recognised by Order Numbers and in certain books are prefaced by the word "Order".

The following information will assist the reader in searching for the relevant treaty or Tax Information Declared Agreement:

1) The Double Taxation Relief (Denmark) Order 1969

2) The Double Taxation Relief (Norway) Order 1969

3) The Double Taxation Relief (Italy) Order 1971

4) The Double Taxation Relief (United States of America) Order 1971

5) The Double Taxation Relief (Switzerland) Order 1973

6) The Double Taxation Relief (Federal Republic of Germany) Order 1976

7) The Double Taxation Relief (France) Order 1981

8) The Double Taxation Relief (United Kingdom) Order 1983

9) The Double Taxation Relief (Sweden) Order 1984

10) The Tax Information (Declared Agreement) Order (with the United States of America) 1990

11) The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Order 1994

12) The Double Taxation Relief (Canada) 1996

13) The Double Taxation Relief (India) Order 1999

14) The Double Taxation Relief (Venezuela) Order 1999

Update to post in Wikipedia on Grenada - Jan 3, 2017

Foreign Relations

Grenada is a full and participating member of both the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and theOrganisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Organisation of American States (OAS)

Grenada is one of the thirty five (35) states which has ratified the OAS charter and is a member of the Organisation.  The Charter of the Organisation of American States was signed in Bogota in 1948 and was amended by several protocols which were agreed to in different countries. The naming convention which is used with respect to the naming of the protocols is name of the city and the year in which the Protocol was signed, being included in the Protocol, such as Cartagena de Indias in 1985, Managua 1993, according to the website of the OAS. .

Grenada entered into the Inter-American system in 1975 according to the OAS's website. 

Summits of the Americas

The last Summits of the Americas, the seventh, was held in Panama City, Panama in 2015 with the eight summit being held in Lima, Peru in 2018 according to the website of the Summits of Americas 

Avoidance of Double Taxation or Double Taxation Relief CARICOM

On July 6, 1994 at Sherbourne Conference Centre, St. Michael, Barbados, George Brizan signed the Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty on behalf of the Government of Grenada.

Seven other countries signed the Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty on that day. These countries were: Antigua & Barbuda, Belize, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, with another country Guyana signing the agreement on August 18, 1994. This treaty covered concepts such as taxes, residence, tax jurisdictions, capital gains, business profits, interest, dividends, royalties and other areas.

Update to post in Wikipedia on Guyana - Jan 3, 2017

Here is an update to the information which was posted in Wikipedia on Guyana:

International and Regional Relations

The Organisation of American States (OAS)

The Charter of the OAS was signed in Bogota in 1948 and was amended by several Protocols which were named after the city and the year in which the Protocol was signed, such as Managua in 1993 forming part of the name of the Protocol.

Guyana is listed as entering into the Inter - American system in 1991 according to the website of the OAS.

Summits of the Americas

The  last Summits of the Americas, the seventh, was held in Panama City, Panama in 2015 with the eight summit being held in Lima, Peru in 2018 according to the website of the Summits of Americas.

Indigenous Leaders Summits of Americas (ILSA)

With Guyana having many groups of indigenous persons and given the geographical location of the country, recent developments in the oil and gas sector internationally and offshore, (such as Eliza I and II) the contributions of the Guyanese to the OAS with respect to this area, that is indigenous people may be significant going forward.

The position of the OAS with respect to indigenous persons appears to be developing over the years. The following statements appear to capture the position of  the OAS with respect to the ILSA :"The "OAS has supported and participated in the organisation of Indigenous Leaders Summits of Americas (ILSA)" according to the OAS's website. The most recent "statement made by the Heads of State of the hemisphere was in the Declaration of Commitments of Port of Spain  in 2009 - Paragraph 86" according to the OAS's website."

The Draft American Declaration of the Rights of the Indigenous Persons appear to be a working document. The last "Meeting for Negotiations in the Quest for Consensus on this area appeared to be Meeting Number (18) eighteen and is listed as being held in May 2015 according to the website.

The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994

At a CARICOM Meeting, representatives of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, Kenneth Valley and Asgar Ally respectively signed The Double Taxation Relief (CARICOM) Treaty 1994 on the 19th August 1994.

Earlier in the year, on the 6th July 1994, representatives of eight (8) CARICOM countries signed similar agreements at Sherbourne Conference Centre, St. Michael, Barbados.

The other countries whose representatives signed the treaties in Barbados prior to Guyana's signing of a similar treaty were: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

This treaty covered taxes, residence, tax jurisdictions, capital gains, business profits, interest, dividends, royalties and other areas."

Originally posted on Facebook: Financial planning Tip Jan 3, 2015 - 002 Limits!

 Coming to the close of the year, on the spur of the moment, I bought several types of dried peas which I now plan to cook. 

Now this purchase was not planned, based on the last check of my cash flow, so there I am, trying to revisit the use of the funds since this was a purchase which was excluded from the budget. 

The options are:

• Try to make a dip, 
• soup for several days (healthy eating) package some of the soup to eat when I do not feel like cooking, 
• Peas and rice combo next week and then
• Back to soup! 

Midway through that period, I will redeem my Massy points for some vouchers and splurge on something to make the meal more exciting, or I will pull out the pastelles or cornmeal cakes which I have placed in the deep freeze and use them! 

There is a limit as to how economical one can be at any point in time!

Originally posted on Facebook: Financial Planning Tip Jan 3, 2015 - 001 Traditions!

In some parts of the world, there is a tradition to start the new year with a peas and rice dish, either black eyed peas or pigeon peas or some form of home cooked meal. 

One of the possible benefits of that meal was that the food would last for several days without refrigeration and you would save:

• Time in not having to cook another meal,
• Money ( not to be spent) and
• You would also have easy access to food for a few days if possible.

 While this may not be an option for everyone due to dietary preferences or work schedules, over the next year, this concept may be an opportunity to try something new (frequently) such as: 

Using your home:

• Have a meal together or 
• Part of a meal, either desert in the middle of the day, or
• A snack together in the afternoon or
• A cup of tea at some time in the day! 

Just enjoy some time together and start your own tradition!