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'Don't tamper with Property Taxes! - Opp Leader Hon Julian Fraser

- said land ownership in the DNA of the Virgin Islander & raising taxes will prevent them from developing that land
Leader of the Opposition and Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser RA said that he would not sit by and allow the Government to tamper with Property Taxes without there being a buy in from the general public as land ownership is in the DNA of the Virgin Islander and such a move would be retrogressive. Photo: VINO/File
Honourable Fraser was speaking during the commencement of the budget debates in the House of Assembly during the Seventh Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly on March 24, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
Honourable Fraser was speaking during the commencement of the budget debates in the House of Assembly during the Seventh Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly on March 24, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Leader of the Opposition and Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser RA said that he would not sit by and allow the Government to tamper with Property Taxes without there being a buy in from the general public as land ownership is in the DNA of the Virgin Islander and such a move would be retrogressive.

Honourable Fraser was speaking during the commencement of the budget debates in the House of Assembly during the Seventh Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly on March 24, 2016.

He was basing his arguments on proposed changes to the payroll tax and the possibility also for changes to property taxes.

He said the territory has a zero percent payroll tax base right now up to the first $10,000 after which the taxes kick in.

“If you are going to start tampering with the payroll tax, it suggests to me that at some point you are going to start taking the first dollar of income. This must be taken into context that we have already mandated a tax on the citizens of this territory of 3.75 percent which is the National Health Insurance. Where are these people going to get the money from? They are not getting increases in salaries,” he said.

Turning his attention to talk of proposed changes to property taxes, he gave an explanation why this would be an unwise move to make without proper consultation.

He pointed out that land held by Virgin Islanders have been handed down through the generations, adding that the ownership of such property has very little to do with economic resources and hence the question of land ownership is always a pivotal one to the local.

“In other words we are so used to holding on to 100 acres of land and paying 60 cents until now when it has progressed to maybe $60. but that is our richness...that is our wealth and I do not want to sit by and see anyone tampering with property taxes unless there is a substantial debate and a buy in from the elected representatives of this territory.”

Hon Fraser said that if property taxes are tampered with now, the children of landowners may not be able to do with the land what persons who want to buy the land are thinking of doing with it.

He called property a sacred possession to the Virgin Islander and that any discussion surrounding property taxes must bear this in mind. He also said there must be proper discussion and consensus before any changes are entertained.

16 Responses to “'Don't tamper with Property Taxes! - Opp Leader Hon Julian Fraser”

  • VG (31/03/2016, 17:35) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
    I agree with the LIBERATOR
  • leave well enough alone (31/03/2016, 17:35) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    We BVISLANDERS are land rich and it seems like the NDP wants to change that...Our lands were preserved for generations so why these moomoos want to touch that?
    • Local (31/03/2016, 19:30) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
      He can not be so crazy all hell will broke loose here .They waste the money and now want to suck our blood. If they do that might as well they kill us.
    • real hot eh (31/03/2016, 19:42) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      some will suffer and some will burn, but we gonna learn we got the govt we choose.
  • think it's fair? (31/03/2016, 17:38) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is why our neighbors over in St.John had to sell off their land because the tax was too high, especially for those who inherited acres upon acres.
    • Really? (01/04/2016, 08:40) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      Well, if you inherited acres in St. John's, methinks you only need to sell one or two to be in pretty good financial state
    • SB (01/04/2016, 09:03) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yuh ain lying
  • voter (31/03/2016, 19:59) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Liberator, see if you can liberate us. Any household faced with a fixed or dwindling income will cut expenditure and try to raise income perhaps taking on additional work. NDP seems to be a tax and spend philosophy. No country can ever tax there citizenry into economic prosperity. At some point the reckless spending and overruns must be called to account
  • vi (31/03/2016, 20:57) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    they need all the monies to fund NHI the claims will bankrupt them in the next year just wait and see.
    And don't talk about all the lawsuit they will have to pay for.NDP is heading this little paradise and their people to poverty.
  • qc (31/03/2016, 21:02) Like (13) Dislike (9) Reply
    in times like deeds I feel bad for not supporting Frazer but the NDP will never fool me again NEVER
  • Agree (31/03/2016, 21:17) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is one time I am in full agreement with Hon Ftazrr. He and Hon fahie is a strong opposition
  • brent (31/03/2016, 22:17) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    If Government want more money, and a lot of it, let them go after the thieves who stole the cookie from the cookie jar at Pier Park. $40 million can go a long way so go after them and leave us poor people alone. You thieves, I hope you burn in HELL, leaving us poor to suffer even more and all of you sit in church every week. There is no place in Heaven for you, so you all better start getting you fans ready for HELL!
  • right (01/04/2016, 08:38) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Don't tamper as in don't pay? And if land ownership is in the DNA of BVIslanders, how come so many have sold theirs off?
  • premier (01/04/2016, 09:01) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Fraser for Premier!
  • Long Shanks (01/04/2016, 10:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    On this occasion, Fraser is right - a substantive change should be the subject of substantive debate and the population should have a say. It may be right to change the taxes on property and payroll, but these are not decisions that should be taken (as so many laws seem to be and then need to be re-visited) off the cuff. The government also needs to be honest with the people about the grave situation the territory's long-term prospects are in, and the substantial long term increase in revenue that will be required to fund NHI (significantly over and above the current rates).

    People of the BVI should prepare themselves for increases in taxes and a move towards an effective income tax rate of 20-25% over the next few years.
  • Here we go folks (02/04/2016, 08:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    and if you decide not to pay well then they will just add it on to your newly implemented Health insurance deducted right out of your pay check. This is just the beginning.


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