A pensioner's plea

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I HAVE observed the recent complaints of persons affected by the "payment at source" system of tax collection by the Ministry of Finance.

Mr. Editor, please examine the following:

(a) The Accountant General withdraws Income Tax from a pensioner on a monthly basis.

(b) The pensioner files his returns at the end of March and is due a "respectable" refund.

(c) The refund is not likely to be paid until a year or so after.

(d) The Income Tax Department issues an updated Exemption Relief Report Form duly completed for the Accountant General. The receipt of this was verified by the A.G. responsible officer.

(e) Still, the A.G. continues to withdraw the tax as usual. So, in January, the pensioner "pleads" for a P24 Report Statement which he is lucky to get before April, if he is persistent.

(f) The Pensioner files again, to wait another year for his refund which should have been paid the previous year on a monthly basis with salary.

I am, etc.,

WINSTON R. SCHLOSS

Kingston 8

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