Adopt the flat tax regime, Ja
published: Friday | June 17, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I WAS very pleased when I read Aubyn Hill's article in The Gleaner's online edition on June 15. Sir, I am a young Jamaican from Mandeville pursuing Bachelor's degrees in Economics and Political Science at Howard University in Washington DC. I have spent many hours over the last five months conducting some extensive research on the flat tax system in different parts of the world. Upon seeing the economic benefits realised by the eastern European countries operating under the flat tax regime, my thoughts immediately turned to Jamaica.

The fact is that many of these nations, barring the obvious geographical and historical differences, have a lot in common with Jamaica in terms of the socio-economic situation. We have seen, in these countries, where the implementation of the flat tax system has increased government revenue and has been attracting record levels of foreign investment. The case can be the same for Jamaica. The figures show that compliance has increased significantly and the revenue has nearly doubled in some jurisdictions.

I agree with Mr Hill 100% that we should be seriously looking at adopting such a system. In fact, I believe it is in the interest of corporate Jamaica to lobby the Jamaican government regarding this issue. The figures are very convincing and there are more than enough examples and case studies which can be used to form a strong argument. I intend to write a series of "facts about the flat tax system", via letters to the editors of both major newspapers, in an effort to educate Jamaican readers and hopefully spark a debate (much like that which ensues between the New York Times and The New Republic here in the US). I trust that Mr Hill, on the other hand, with a much bigger voice than mine, will keep up the good work. Best wishes.

I am, etc.,

CHAD COWAN

ccowan81@hotmail.com

Project Assistant

NIH DC Initiative

Howard University Hospital

Washington DC 20001