Dear Editor,
An unjust law is no law. — St Augustine I am both shocked and appalled that the Portia Simpson Miller Administration is considering inflicting every Jamaican and every tourist with a tax rate of five to 10 cents for every withdrawal from an ABM, cheque or other electronic transaction.
As a result of this predatory act the Government is expected to benefit from $2.3 billion over a nine-month period. Usually when a tax measure like this is implemented it is directed towards an effort to grow the economy by creating and cultivating attitudes of thrift towards future dividends. But this measure is not propelled by public policy considerations.
Rather, this is a desperate attempt to pillage the poor. It is clear to me that this unconscionable, predatory act only benefits a sinking Government, which lacks economic ingenuity, vision, proper direction, and is totally naive to Jamaica’s current economic situation.
How can you tax debit transactions when so many persons are suffering and the tax threshold is already so high? Crime is totally out of control and the convenience and security of using a debit card has become the prudent way to access cash.It may very well be that people will be forced to resort to old methods by storing money in mattresses and bedposts in order to avoid such measures.
Notwithstanding this possibility of reverting to a backward society, the criminal elements might also have a field day since every Jamaican may become fair game because they will have more cash on them when undertaking daily activities. It’s five to 10 cents today, when will it increase to a dollar or two, tomorrow? How much more burden can Jamaicans bear? Only God knows.
Marvin Forbes
forbesmarvin@gmail.com
An unjust law is no law. — St Augustine I am both shocked and appalled that the Portia Simpson Miller Administration is considering inflicting every Jamaican and every tourist with a tax rate of five to 10 cents for every withdrawal from an ABM, cheque or other electronic transaction.
As a result of this predatory act the Government is expected to benefit from $2.3 billion over a nine-month period. Usually when a tax measure like this is implemented it is directed towards an effort to grow the economy by creating and cultivating attitudes of thrift towards future dividends. But this measure is not propelled by public policy considerations.
Rather, this is a desperate attempt to pillage the poor. It is clear to me that this unconscionable, predatory act only benefits a sinking Government, which lacks economic ingenuity, vision, proper direction, and is totally naive to Jamaica’s current economic situation.
How can you tax debit transactions when so many persons are suffering and the tax threshold is already so high? Crime is totally out of control and the convenience and security of using a debit card has become the prudent way to access cash.It may very well be that people will be forced to resort to old methods by storing money in mattresses and bedposts in order to avoid such measures.
Notwithstanding this possibility of reverting to a backward society, the criminal elements might also have a field day since every Jamaican may become fair game because they will have more cash on them when undertaking daily activities. It’s five to 10 cents today, when will it increase to a dollar or two, tomorrow? How much more burden can Jamaicans bear? Only God knows.
Marvin Forbes
forbesmarvin@gmail.com