THE EDITOR, Sir:THE MINISTRY of Finance needs to put in place an immediate and an aggressive campaign to educate the citizens of Jamaica about the items that attract general consumption tax (G.C.T).
It is grief going to the supermarket, because I realise that almost half of my grocery bill is spent on paying G.C.T.
I remember clearly (quite recently) the Minister of Finance, Dr. Omar Davies in a TV broadcast said that basic items do not attract G.C.T.
Therefore, I would regard basic items to include simple soap power (Fab to wash your clothes), bath soap (local soap for bathing) toilet tissue and cheese (our local cheese), and therefore should not attract G.C.T. I have my receipt to account for these four items that I have mentioned.
Mr. Minister, I was also astonished when I received my credit card statements at the end of April and the end of May to find that G.C.T was added to these two statements.
I am almost sure that there are many other concerned citizens like myself who cannot comprehend what attracts G.C.T and what does not. Some business operators also seemed to be confused about what attracts G.C.T and what does not.
Minister Davies, I am suggesting that a list of the G.C.T items be sent to our business operators and also be published in the media in order to educate the public about the legitimate G.C.T items.
I am, etc.,
IRENE GRAHAM
junior2bad@hotmail.com
