PENSIONERS SHOULD BE TOTALLY TAX EXEMPT
They Already Paid Their Dues
………by Audley Phillip
Some months ago, I had a cordial and friendly discussion with a Government Senator. I raised what I considered to be a a genuine concern that all pensioners should be exempt of any taxes.
Our pensioners have already paid their dues and it is almost double whammy to ask them to pay Antigua & Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) on food and other consumer items.
Once a pensioner shows his/her pension card at the time of making purchase, all taxes should be exempted and removed.
Pensioners are required to live and survive on a pension cheque which is by no means substantial.
Old age comes with its share of ailments and sickness and very often the pension cheque is not even able to cover a fraction of their medical costs.
I am therefore calling on the government to move quickly in order to address this anomaly and bring some much needed relief to pensioners.
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While your argument may seem like a good one, it comes with certain drawbacks that can open potential abuses. Let’s take the ABST as a example. How does one police those exemption?
What if pensioners start purchasing for others who ordinarily would be paying ABST? For example, if they start purchasing goods and services for their working children and relatives?How do you stop that?
Furthermore, if the argument is that pensioners have already paid their dues by paying taxes when they were working, shouldn’t a similar logic be applied to minors who have not reached working age as yet? Why should minors be asked to pay taxes on goods and services they access when they are not working? Then add to that if their parents ask them to purchase goods and services for them?
The point I’m making is that the idea might seem good, until you start to see the potential for abuses and the argument for minors to be exempt as well. An effective tax system is one that is easy to administer, and your proposal certainly runs counter to that.
Great feedback. I would also add that some pensioners are still able-bodied and even work at a different job they had prior to retirement.
It’s a great idea but not a practical one at all.
Ppl tax and return that amt. to the elderly who show proof via an accountant
The argument makes [sense], but the #safeguards are not in place, to effectively monitor the pros/cons, of offering seniors, retirees, pensioners and individuals with permanent disabilities certain tax breaks/exemptions.
A…updated data collections with instant access by the finance (public/private entities), the healthcare (private:public), housing (owned/renting, occupants, dependents).
B…compliance, monitoring & punishments MUST be solidly in place.
Many NGO’s, non-profits, the legal fraternity offering pro-bono services, civic groups, community organizations – ALL NON-PARTISAN must take the lead on bringing about these changes.
Yes, it’s a hell of a lot of work with the physical support systems and personnel in place. Are We There Yet, no; however, the ability is there, as a senior, pensioner myself (NOT RETIRED – retirement is for the dead! The full joys, of living and breathing, as we share connected spaces, in the Essence of Nature’s ether is to, let Work [Force X Distance], work is the mental form of energy, that powers physical movements); again, the abilities are there, the elephant in the room is The Will; yep, #The_Will.
Please understand, this #will is not one which relatives, etc, wait to be read, to hear what their rich family member left them. This is, the Will to grow, as a Society, as a Culture.
Battery is about to die!
Later…
Jumbee Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏾Garrat Bastard
Vere Edwards
Gaston seems to be a genius at most things, I’m quite sure he could come up with a strategy to make it work if he had a mind to. Not saying it would be easy but I think something could be worked out to stop fraudsters