Public records and inspection
(a)
(1) Returns made with respect to taxes imposed by chapters 1, 3 and 6 of the income tax laws of the Virgin Islands upon which the tax has been determined by the Director shall constitute public records; but, except as hereinafter provided in this section, they shall be open to inspection only upon order of the Governor and under rules and regulations prescribed by the Director and approved by the Governor.
(2) All returns made with respect to the taxes imposed by chapters 1, 3, 5 and 6 of the income tax laws of the Virgin Islands and by chapters 1, 3 and 7 of this title, shall constitute public records and shall be open to public examination and inspection to such extent as shall be authorized in rules and regulations promulgated by the Governor.
(3) Whenever a return is open to the inspection of any person, a certified copy thereof shall, upon request, be furnished to such person under rules and regulations prescribed by the Director. The Director may prescribe a reasonable fee for furnishing such copy.
Inspection by shareholders
(b) All bona fide shareholders of record owning 1 percent or more of the outstanding stock of any corporation shall, upon making request of the Director, be allowed to examine the annual income returns of such corporation and of its subsidiaries.
Inspection by committees of the Legislature
(c) The Director or any officer or employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, upon written request by a select committee of the Legislature specially authorized to investigate tax returns by a resolution of the Legislature, shall furnish such committee sitting in executive session with any data of any character contained in or shown by any return. Any such committee shall have the right, acting directly as a committee, or by or through such examiners or agents as it may designate or appoint, to inspect any or all of the returns at such times and in such manner as it may determine. Any relevant or useful information thus obtained may be submitted by the committee obtaining it to the Legislature.