Taxes could be further reduced once all pay their fair share – Min Jordan

DPI, Guyana, Friday, December 7, 2018

Finance Minister Winston Jordan has emphasised that all citizens who have to pay taxes must do so. “All must pay their fair share of taxes,” he stated this evening while addressing the National Assembly.

The Minister said it his wish that once the tax net was widened and more paid their fair share, personal income taxes, for example could be reduced progressively.

He recalled the Opposition’s claims that tax amnesties granted were done to favour friends. Not so, he pointed out, “Most of the taxes paid during the amnesty were from gold miners, the minister explained.”

Minister Jordan warned that vendors and shopkeepers must do their part and pay their taxes. He also chided former president and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, urging him to lead by example, take heed and pay his taxes on any other earnings accrued, noting, “He is only exempt from paying taxes on his pension. Any other earnings from other jobs are taxable.”

Additionally, the Finance Minister accused the Opposition of attempting to mislead the public about taxes and attempting to spread mud, based on what they did previously. He dismissed these efforts and further praised the efforts made by the Guyana Revenue Authority, led by Commissioner General Godfrey Statia.

In closing, the Minister said that even Stevie Wonder could see there is a path to the promised land. At $300.7 billion dollars, it is not about the size of the Budget but it is about the quality of the spending, Minister Jordan added, “From Promise to prosperity, I commend this budget to the House.”

Paul Mc Adam.

Images: Keno George.