Categories: Letters

Taxes gone to waste?



Government has issues collecting taxes, despite their drastic increases –– the latest being the Municipal Solid Waste Tax. But what is Government doing with the money it is indeed collecting? Is it spending it prudently or is money still being wasted, with no one being prosecuted for doing so?
This is what I want to know after being reliably informed that:
(1) $5 million was allocated to pay the light bills of people, many of whom are not the most vulnerable in our society.
(2) $60 000 in milk was purchased from PHD when it had a glut and said milk is now being given away.
(3) $1 million or more was paid to the courts so mothers going to court but receiving no funds could have their money. Government said it would get this money back from the delinquent fathers. Could I be informed if these funds have been recovered or at least have begun to be collected?
(4) Electrical and water bills are still being paid for people who live in Government-built homes, but these people are not the ones the homes were given to. In some cases the houses are now being occupied by those who are paying rent to someone other than Government.
(5) Persons have received NIS and welfare cheques for in some cases ten plus years, and they are not the most vulnerable in society.
Taxes have to be paid, but it hurts as a taxpayer trying to survive in this country, when I see our taxes being used in the abovementioned ways that suggest the Government is not practising the same fiscal restraint it is asking its citizens to.

–– KIM MARSHALL

Barbados Today

Barbados Today is the leading news service in Barbados. Founded in January 2010, with the mission to keep you informed, we aim to share news on matters of national interest, raise the level of public debate and help our readers make informed decisions in their daily lives. We do this by building confidence in our content through consistency. We strive for accuracy, accountability and maturity in our reporting at all times.

View Comments

  • 2,300 pounds of $100.00 USD bills would do Barbados well. That's the equivelent to one billion dollars U.S. but that means cutting down a whole lot of forest, so here is the deal . A few billion dollar craniums are requested and the job is done without tranportation or energy costs. Welcome to the global village all peoples.

  • 2,300 pounds of $100.00 USD bills would do Barbados well. That's the equivelent to one billion dollars U.S. but that means cutting down a whole lot of forest, so here is the deal . A few billion dollar craniums are requested and the job is done without tranportation or energy costs. Welcome to the global village all peoples.

Share
Published by
Barbados Today

Recent Posts

PM Mottley eyes opportunities for artists and designers in Africa and the Pacific

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is looking to Africa and the Pacific for new growth prospects for artists and designers…

51 mins ago

Motorcyclist suffers head injuries in collision with car

  A motorcyclist suffered serious head injuries in a collision at the intersection of Drax Hall Road and Greens Road,…

3 hours ago

Police investigate an unnatural death

Police are investigating the unnatural death of Shamar Rojoe Bascombe of Hannay's Valley, Windsor, Christ Church. Lawmen say Bascombe was…

3 hours ago

Caribbean, a laboratory for climate change, says WFP

UNITED NATIONS, CMC –  The United Nation’s World Food Programme (WFP) has described Latin America and the Caribbean as “a laboratory…

4 hours ago

It’s not business as usual, says Minister Kirk Humphrey

A changing economic environment, coupled with the effects of climate change, will require every Barbadian citizen to adapt to a…

5 hours ago

West Indies beat India to level T20 series at 1-1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India (AFP) –  Opener Lendl Simmons struck an unbeaten 67 as West Indies beat India by eight wickets in the second Twenty20 international on Sunday…

6 hours ago