ISSA
THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE MINISTER of Finance's decision not to introduce any new taxes in this year's budget is the correct one. His commitment to get the required revenue for the budget from delinquent taxpayers and tax cheats is also the correct one.
He has called on the private sector and well-thinking citizens to support this worthwhile effort. This call must be positively answered.
Jamaica's disgusting and long-standing record of very poor tax compliance has not only been a national disgrace but has been one of the greatest injustices allowed to continuously pervade our country.
NEW PHENOMENON
This is not a new phenomenon. I first pointed it out in a speech in 1973. During the next three decades I made numerous speeches to a variety of organisations in Kingston and Montego Bay. These presentations were widely publicised in the media. I promoted taxation justice on many talk shows and directly with government and private sector leaders. The efforts made to improve compliance always came up short.
This is confirmed by the Government's own statistics.
BUDGET CENTREPIECE
Now that the Govern-ment has made it a centrepiece of this year's budget and a central objective of their ongoing policy, all well-thinking Jamaicans must support these efforts.
It is undeniable that if a household has four income earners and only two are contributing to the common household cost, such as rent, utilities and food, not only will there be difficulties paying the bills but there will be no peace in that home.
We do not have peace in our national household. Is it not because there is too much injustice? Let us therefore support the Government's efforts to bring justice to the collection of taxes.
I am, etc.,
JOHN ISSA
Chairman
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