PM: Citizens must get ready to pay property tax

Even though citizens will benefit from not paying any interest or penalties for failing to file their income taxes on time for two consecutive years, as announced by the Finance Minister on Friday, they should be prepared to pay property tax when it comes on stream.

Asked whether government will consider deferring the tax on the rental value of residential and commercial properties since the pandemic had left thousands unemployed and dependant on state grants for over 15 months, the Prime Minister said "there is never a right time for tax to be collected."

Speaking to reporters at the formal opening of the Carenage Police Station on Thursday, Dr Rowley said property tax was not a new tax and took umbrage to the question.

He said when oil was being sold at US$100 a barrel the Opposition politicised the collection of land and building taxes as suggested by the question from Sunday Newsday.

"There is no better time to be frugal than in a period of difficulty. And the argument is that if you in fact are getting a benefit from the state and you are required to make a small contribution, you have no entitlement to say you are not doing it because you have other priorities to suit your pleasure."

He said the legislation was being finalised after the UNC took it to court and "certain conditions" were laid down. The Prime Minister said property tax was the underpinning of the local government reform exercise.

"Once local government bodies can access that funding in an ongoing basis you will see light years improvement in local government."

The creation of the Revenue Authority, he said, is not meant to add any tax, but simply meant to collect what is due.

"Let us face it those if you don't have money, if you are not doing anything that is earning money, then you don't have any tax exposure. If you are a poor person in this country or you have a small house that does not attract large tax, what is your problem with property tax?

"If you earning up to $72,000 a year, you have no tax to pay. So don't drink bush tea for other people's fever. As a matter of fact, by doing that you are allowing people to escape their responsibility on your behalf," he said.

He also hoped to complete the digitalisation of government services to take the country forward before he end his political career. Rowley said young people were ahead in that regard and digitalisation had the added benefit of reducing corruption, allows for greater access to services and allows easier management of data.