GOVERNMENT OF 
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES 
--------0-------- 
VIRGIN ISLANDS BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE 
 
 
6115 Estate Smith Bay – Suite 225 
4008 Estate Diamond Plot 7 B 
St. Thomas VI  00802 
Christiansted VI  00820-4421 
Phone: (340) 715-1040 
                                  Phone: (340) 773-1040 
Fax:     (340) 774-2672 
                                      Fax: (340) 773-1006 
 
 
TESTIMONY OF 
DIRECTOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 
BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE 
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON  
BUDGET, APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCE  
 
 
GREETINGS HONORABLE SENATOR NOVELLE E. FRANCIS, JR., 
CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, APPROPRIATIONS 
AND FINANCE, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, ALL OTHER SENATORS 
PRESENT, AND THE LISTENING AND VIEWING AUDIENCE. I AM JOEL A. 
LEE, DIRECTOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BUREAU OF INTERNAL 
REVENUE.  THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING THE BUREAU TO PRESENT 
TESTIMONY ON BILL NO. 36-0039, AS AMENDED BY AMENDMENT 
NUMBER 36-304. 
THIS BILL SEEKS TO INCREASE THE CONTAINER TAXES AS 
FOLLOWS: 
 
FOR CONTAINERS AND FLAT RACKS UP TO 39 FEET – THE 
RATE WILL INCREASE FROM $50.00 TO $100.00; 
 
BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE TESTIMONY 
BILL 36-0039 
CONTAINER TAX INCREASE 
Page 2 of 3 
 
 
FOR CONTAINERS AND FLAT RACKS THAT MEASURE 40 
FEET – THE CONTAINER TAX WILL BE INCREASED FROM $100 TO 
$200.00; AND 
  
FOR FLAT RACK CONTAINERS THAT MEASURE 45 FEET IN 
LENGTH – THE NEW FEE WILL BE $205.00. 
THE BUREAU REVIEWED LAST THREE YEARS’ COLLECTIONS OF 
THE CONTAINER TAX AND THE AVERAGE CONTAINERS IMPORTED 
INTO THE TERRITORY WAS: 
 
 
UNDER 39 FEET  -   
  3,153 
 
 
40 FEET -   
 
16,322 
BASED ON THE AVERAGE IMPORTATION, WE CAN EXPECT THAT 
THE ANNUAL INCREASE IN REVENUES WILL BE APPROXIMATELY: 
 
 
UNDER 39 FEET - $   157,650.00 
 
 
40 FEET  
 
- $1,632,200.00 
THERE IS NO PRIOR HISTORY ON THE NUMBER OF FLAT BEADS 
IMPORTED FOR 45 FEET, SINCE THAT CATEGORY DID NOT EXIST 
PREVIOUSLY.   
 
BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE TESTIMONY 
BILL 36-0039 
CONTAINER TAX INCREASE 
Page 3 of 3 
 
 
THIS WOULD PROVIDE THE BUREAU WITH SUFFICENT LEAD 
TIME, TO PREPARE THE RETURNS, UPDATE OUR TAX SYSTEM AND 
EDUCATE THE TAXPAYERS.  WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE THAT 
THIS CAN BE DONE WITHIN THE SIXTY DAY ENACTMENT PERIOD. 
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THIS 
TESTIMONY.