Permit me to voice my concern about this ridiculous tax that has been imposed upon the already burdened Jamaicans.

How many persons in Jamaica now pay taxes? Just a few I guess? How does America build its economy? By its people paying taxes. Every business place pays as long as money is made (hair salon, barbershop, restaurant, day care, you name it). By law, each person is compelled to pay his or her taxes.

There are people both in the public and private sector who are guilty of avoiding their civic responsibilities of filing their annual tax returns. Some have even deducted these amounts regularly from the wages of their employees and have failed to turn these in. Why don't we get those instead of pressuring the already overburdened, overtaxed citizens of this country?

What happened to those who operate their businesses on the roadside and caused damage to the already pothole riddled streets? Who paid for the damage they created? The state, of course. Haven't we wasted enough of my hard-earned money that could be better managed?

- Lorna Watt

lorna.watt@yahoo.com

Mandeville

Jamaica and taxes

For a country that imports and consumes so much foreign goods, maybe it is time for the Government to looking into the elimination of income tax and instead impose an across-the-board, fair consumption tax.

We know that some people are not paying their fair share of taxes and the burden is imposed on the middle and poorer class people. We know people continue to beat the system, especially those who import large volumes of goods through the wharves.

Maybe the answer is to outsource the entire revenue collection mechanism and give incentives to the collectors.

- Verol Thompson

verol.thompson@sonic-planet.com

Atlanta, Georgia