No tax decision taken

No decision has been taken to implement any form of land tax or waive property tax. This was the response yesterday from senior government officials to an article in the Sunday Express which made these allegations. The officials indicated that the article is "trying to make a mountain out of a molehill." They said it is well known that a Cabinet note and a Cabinet decision are not the same thing. The officials further explained that what is being put forward in this instance is, "just a proposal for consideration."

Last Friday, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said he would make a statement sometime this week about when Budget Day will be. Newsday understands that this statement could be made either after Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's or at Friday's sitting of the House of Representatives. The Budget must be passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate before October 30.

After the Budget debate is completed in both Houses of Parliament, the Budget must then be approved by the Standing Finance Committee of the House. All other parliamentary matters are set aside once the Budget debate begins in the House. Imbert presented last year's Budget in the House on September 30, 2016.