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The Miami-Dade County Tax Collector, Dariel Fernández, announced this Thursday the issuance of 50 new compliance notices directed at businesses whose activities may be related to commercial operations with the Cuban regime.
In an official statement, Fernández explained that the measure is part of a review initiated weeks ago to ensure that all businesses operating in the county meet the legal requirements set for obtaining or maintaining the Local Business Tax Receipt.
The notices require key information to determine if businesses are eligible, according to state law and county code, to receive or retain such a license. Among the requested items is the confirmation that businesses possess the necessary federal authorization for their operations.
"These notices are mandatory. Businesses must respond and provide the requested information. Failure to respond or the inability to demonstrate eligibility will result in actions... including the revocation or denial of renewal of the Local Business Tax," warned Fernández.
The initiative continues a previous phase of the process, when the Collector's office contacted 75 businesses suspected of having economic ties with Havana. According to Fernández, a significant number of those companies demonstrated legitimate activity or confirmed that they had no connection with the Cuban regime, although others did not respond despite repeated notifications.
"My office will continue to uphold that responsibility consistently, responsibly, and without exceptions," stated the official, who reiterated that licenses will be revoked for those companies that engage in illegal trade with the Cuban regime.
Fernández also recalled that, according to state statute 205.0532, local authorities have the power to revoke or deny the renewal of licenses when a business maintains commercial relations with the communist regime on the island.
In a post on his Facebook account, the Collector emphasized that Miami-Dade "will not be used as a platform to finance or support a dictatorship that oppresses its people," and reiterated that his office will continue to enforce the law "in a firm, responsible, and non-exceptional manner."
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