P.M. addresses pension/income tax concerns
They were major issues pushed by the People’s United Party in their campaign leading up to the March fifth general elections. But this week, it looked like reality might override the rhetoric. First, there’s the income tax exemption for Belizeans making twenty-five thousand dollars or less, which was promised to take effect on April first. The Income Tax Department confirmed on Thursday that no amendment had been made to the Income Tax Act, but conceded that to make good on the promise, G.O.B. could make the law retroactive to the first of this month. Then today, one local newspaper alleged that the Musa administration was having trouble coming up with the raise for public officers. Today, Prime Minister Said Musa took the opportunity to set the record straight.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“I saw that in the Reporter, it’s completely untrue. I don’t know where Mr. Lawrence gets his information. But no, that is not true. The salary increase has gone into effect. Public officers, nurses, teachers, everybody, pensioners, will get their increase Fifteenth and ending. Obviously it doesn’t start today, but come the fifteenth and ending, they will see the increase in their paycheques.”
Patrick Jones
“What about the reduction of income tax for more Belizeans, that hasn’t gone into place on April first as promised?”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“Well we didn’t have a meeting of the House before April first. That mater is still under review. It will require an amendment to the Income Tax Act, so it will be done in the course of time. I can’t say which month yet, because as you know, as I mentioned in the speech today, we are facing some new and special difficulties. So that particular matter will be under review, but it will be done. I mean it’s a commitment we intend to keep.”
The Prime Minister says without the amendment to the Income Tax Act, it would be premature for him to say whether or not any roll back on personal income tax will be made retroactive to April first, 2003.
