Why ask us to pay more taxes?
Published:Wednesday | April 3, 2013 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
How can we survive in this country?
Among the tax measures announced by the Government of Jamaica recently was the increase in property tax, effective April 1, 2013. Law-abiding citizens have been visiting the Inland Revenue Department to verify the new amounts they are required to pay and are just realising the magnitude of the increase.
My property tax, for example, has been increased from $6,000 annually to $14,500. I was complaining bitterly until a colleague of mine went to investigate the new amount she will be charged. Much to her consternation, her property tax has been increased from $21,000 to $55,000 annually. Now, this is solely a residential property owned by a civil servant.
NO HOPE
Minister Phillips, how can we have hope in this country? The tax package you presented has caused every single consumable item to be increased. A civil servant is being asked to pay $55,000 annually for property tax, while you are unstintingly bargaining for another wage freeze.
Poor people are crying out and this Government is not listening. I would also like to remind Minister Phillips that those same properties attract annual insurance charges of more than $140,000 in addition to the cost of maintenance for normal wear and tear.
Why ask us to pay more because you fail to collect from the tax dodgers? Minister, you are penalising law-abiding citizens when you fail to institute effective tax-collection measures. Sir, I guarantee you, instead of achieving a higher level of compliance, your present strategies will only seek to create more tax dodgers.
Please listen to our cries, minister, as poor people are suffering!
PAULINE WHITE