Ask yourselves this question, what has successive governments really done to alleviate poverty?
They have all proclaimed to be lovers of the poor and the people of this beautiful Island home Jamaica, but once they enter the parliamentary chambers that switch is turned off.
On the political platform they revel in the thoughts of making this country better and the possibilities that exists are very bright, however facing the reality of governance an what the predecessor did changes it all.
As citizens we all expect to have some amount of increase in taxes once a budget is read. However; annually things have gotten out of hand, with successive governments targeting a particular set of items while the price of other remains constant.
In December of 2016 Finance and Planning Minister, Audley Shaw stated that a Property Tax Increase would be used to partially fund the Jamaica Labour Party’s election promise of a 1.5 million income tax threshold increase.
Fast-forward to March 2017 in his budget presentation Shaw announced that come April 1, the property tax rate is to be reduced to 0.8 per cent with a cap at 1.3 per cent down from the current range of 1.5 per cent to two per cent.
According to Shaw, the reduced rate will see over 272, 000 property owners benefiting from a reduction in taxes, or experience no change in the amount charged in 2016.
But what Shaw didn’t say was that the remaining property owners will see exorbitant increases. What he didn’t say is that under the previous government changes were made to the unimproved value of most properties through a revaluation exercise, that as now taken effect, thus causing an hike in taxes for some of those properties.
Now the fiasco is yet to begin as some customary early payers are been shocked out of their wits at the cost they are hearing from representatives at the Tax Offices island-wide.
Come April 1, when the increase is actually due and the offices are filled to capacity how will the staff manage the insults or even sudden illness of those before them, especially the elderly.
Personally speaking, living in a deep rural community our little parcel of land which was $10,750 per year is now a whopping $52,500 per year upon inquiring at the tax office.
Now people an increase in threshold gives the maximum of $18,000, $52,500 is more than two times that. How will we manage in this country when some individuals are under paid yet over taxed?
The promise of PROGRESS from the PNP is yet to be seen and now more so
the shift from “poverty to prosperity” is a bit far reaching and it’s not only property tax that will affect us.
The cost of basic commodities will also be increased, and the government will probably have to grant an increase in bus and taxi fare inspite of their refusal, as services associated with the transport sector saw an immediate 20% increase.
When will there ever be an adequate increase in salary for workers?
As a country we have sat down and allowed governments to force things on us without taking a stand. After all they work for us and not the other way around.
After all tax is indeed essential, but tax with a conscience. Create opportunities for growth so as to minimize the burden of taxation.
272,000 Will Benefit, But How Many Will Suffer?
I am etc..
Concerned Citizen.
