Passing of VAT Amendment Act will permit quick relief for consumers

Dear Editor,

It is very important that the amendment to the VAT Act is passed by Parliament which will empower the Minister of Finance and the GRA to take immediate action to remove the 16 % tax on certain other items and zero rate or exempt them to bring further relief to consumers.

With the introduction of anything new, like the Value Added Tax, there are bound to be some problems, and it is essential that these can be remedied or corrected in the shortest possible time.

If every time a change is to be made, it is necessary to go to the Parliament to effect this, it will prove to be an onerous and time-consuming task.

It is far better to amend the Act so as to place the authority to make the necessary changes in the hands of the Minister and the GRA. These changes can then be made speedily, with the least possible delay to bring faster relief to the consumer.

Yours faithfully,

Susan Chen