Frank Walker Taken To Task Over Tax Plans

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

08 October 2002

Deputy Geoff Southern, head of Jersey's taxpayers association, has hit out at the tax measures proposed by the Finance and Economics Committee.

Speaking this week, he observed that the planned stamp duty, vehicle registration, and fringe benefit taxes represent relatively uncontroversial but short-term measures, suggested with the forthcoming elections firmly in mind.

The freezing of personal allowances, on the other hand, represents a regressive step, as it means that Jersey's less wealthy residents will bear more of the tax burden. Wages roughly increase in line with inflation, according to Deputy Southern, and by freezing personal allowances for a third year, more and more taxpayers will fall into a higher bracket.

He also questioned F&E President Senator Frank Walker's assertion that there are to be no 'sacred cows' in the search for additional revenue, arguing that the Senator has refused to address company tax, the rainy day fund, the single tax rate or the ceiling on social security contributions.

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