EDITOR, The Tribune.
The widely perceived Mantra of the Progressive Liberal Party is: family, friends and lovers. The past two and a half years of their administration have only reinforced that perception. However, they have a unique opportunity to somewhat “redeem” themselves.
Value Added Tax (VAT) became effective on January 1, 2015. VAT is the PLP’s baby, never before applied in this Great Commonwealth. They (PLP) have a golden opportunity to (at least) get one thing right in five years. As I understand it, businesses will not be registered if they owe outstanding amounts to other government institutions (NIB, property taxes, etc). This is in keeping with “best business practices”.
This Administration has demonstrated that they can in fact “collect outstanding” taxes when it suits their agenda. I was truly impressed at the warp speed in which they forced the Numbers Industry to cough up millions in taxes in three months!
Wow! This indicates to me that they are “selective” in applying the law. Come on man, they can assess and collect seven million in three months from illegal enterprises, how come they cannot collect taxes from established businesses sanctioned by the government? Family, friends and lovers?
As a citizen of this great Commonwealth, I am posing the following questions to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet:
Are there any businesses that should be registered and are not?
Are there any businesses that presently owe Government taxes in excess of $50,000 that are in fact registered?
Are there any businesses that are in fact not honouring their existing “payment arrangement” that have been registered?
I am aware that this “haughty” government may ignore my relevant request.
Consequently, I am appealing to The Deputy Leader of The Free National Movement, Mr K Peter Turnquest to raise the issue in Parliament at the earliest opportunity.
BRADLEY L ARMBRISTER
Freeport, Grand Bahama,
January 13, 2015.
Comments
TheMadHatter 9 years, 2 months ago
The great thing about our democracy is that citizens ARE allowed to beg their government for information. LOL.
TheMadHatter
ohdrap4 9 years, 2 months ago
well, this week, i patronized 2 businesses which have not registered for VAT, but that i am positive should have.
I asked. At one place, the employee said-- we will not be registering for VAT. At the other one, the manager said " we told the owner, and he said he would get back to us, and he has not said anything".
I wonder about political ties.
If persons with political ties do not pay property taxes and national insurance, will they pay VAT.
there are also people who several years behind in business licenses and are never shut down.
chairarranger 9 years, 2 months ago
Easy to find out. Just name the two businesses here. There is nothing defamatory about making factual statements to identify a business that is not registered for VAT and did not charge you VAT, provided you don't make false statements or presumptions as to why. Just name them and I am sure a roving Tribune reporter and a VAT compliance officer (and, if the business has clear political ties, perhaps an Opposition researcher), will look into it. Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
ohdrap4 9 years, 2 months ago
sorry. first, i do not get paid to inspect businesses. second, i might be disinfected by PEP.
chairarranger 9 years, 2 months ago
No one is saying you need to inspect them. Just name them, seeing as you raise them. Otherwise what's the point of making mysterious comments. The standard we walk past is the standard we accept. If no-one in the community is willing to present facts and to challenge wrongdoing then why should we expect our politicians to be any better?
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