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The seven percent tax

Lorna M. George. Photo: VINO/File
Lorna M. George

There is an old adage that says, “God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform”. My brothers and sisters who send our money to their native countries via transfer money services such as Money Gram and Western Union may have felt a bit disappointed when the government put a seven percent tax on money going out of the country.

My brothers and sisters there is no reason for you to feel ill-served or put out in any way because you are part of the [British] Virgin Islands family and you will benefit from whatever the seven percent on the exported money will be used for.

My expat brothers and sisters many of you have been here for many years and now call this place home. Always remember it is your attitude that determines your altitude. If you look at life from the positive side you will always come out the winner. It is God in His mercy that has brought you to this good land and things here are better than back home. Be thankful and grateful to God and He will bless you beyond measure and prosper you. My friends you should make the best of whatever opportunity given.

My brothers and sisters from other countries your sterling and matchless contribution to our society is greatly appreciated and cannot be overlooked; we embrace you. You cannot be compensated for your labour of love and service beyond the call of duty. Feel free to partake of whatever the Government is offering. This is your new home and you should feel free to walk with your head held high in dignity and respect. If you are looking for joy, you can find it here; if you are looking for happiness, you can find it here. The question is what are you looking for? My expat brothers and sisters I would like to reiterate that we are one BVI family and it does not matter where you were born. We are all God’s children, and I believe in the brotherhood of humankind.

Sooner or later I hope we will come to the realisation that we are all going the way of man so let us embrace each other and come together as one as we sing in the old hymn of the Faith, one in hope, one in doctrine, one in charity.

12 Responses to “The seven percent tax”

  • Faith? (02/06/2020, 11:22) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeah, I fear the 7% will make the same flushing sound as the duty I pay to HM Customs.
  • To Ms. George (02/06/2020, 13:10) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    MAY YOU ALWAYS BE BLESSED FOR THE ARTICLES YOU WRITE.
  • uh (02/06/2020, 16:03) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    U are one of the genuine one it's only takes one to say I found no fault in them may God bless you
  • care (02/06/2020, 16:48) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Amen .You have said it and in way that everyone can understand and bye the way 7% is not much.and little is much when god is in it .just thought of what you can gain from it in the long run .Thank you so much .
  • Yes (02/06/2020, 19:03) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Positive vibe
  • John (02/06/2020, 21:22) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Take to 2% on take it from every body not just the 80million take it from the 1.6 billion, or they can't
  • privy council (02/06/2020, 21:42) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    That law is discriminatory against expatriates sending out money.The Uk should revoke that law.
  • Son of the soil rooted and grounded (02/06/2020, 22:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    As a Bvislander While this may be true in a sense ,but look at the brighter side picture, Ayo, let me brake it down for person to understand, those expats working person they 1/ paid taxes 2 /they paid social security 3/ they paid nhi 4 /they rent some of us very high expensive house rent 5/ they paid lights bill 6/ they paid water bill 7/ they buy food all out of that same money , now because they choose to send some of what is leftover of what they work sweat hard for (which may I reminded you that they and anybody else have a right to do with there own money whatever are to give send it anyway in the world) you mean that my God ma'am they want some more, 7% out of every dollar it's not Right,, with all do respect , fear is fear , so you can talk ms George perhaps you don't give , listen I when western union to send some money to my daughter who live in the state and going school this happen because of hurricane Irma , now the money is for her upkeep food school stuffs do her hair ,we all VIslanders knows what I am talking about because a lots of you has children going school / college in the US and elsewhere too but your not saying anything and many of our families children will be coming home in a few days time , now my daughter called me and said she wanted money so I send $430 four hundred and thirty dollars , that cost me almost 50 dollars 49 to be exact now this normally will cost 15 to 17 dollars now you do the maths , blessed country
  • GREED (03/06/2020, 06:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well unfortunately your government as the premier likes to say has killed those businesses. Those places used to be full of customers now they’re always empty. People have been forced to come up with alternatives. I’m not even debating a tax although in my opinion this is double taxation, but at least a 2 or 3% tax. 7% is outrageous.
  • Outsider (03/06/2020, 06:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    “My brothers and sisters from other countries your sterling and matchless contribution to our society is greatly appreciated and cannot be overlooked; we embrace you.” No, Lorna, we are not embraced. We are permitted to reside here provided we pay our stamps and renew our work permits annually. Should we start a family here, they will have no rights. Your government will write to us sending us an appointment for the interview for the child’s application to reside with his or her parents. We’ll be asked to bring his or her passport, even though the child could be rendered stateless by the territory’s laws. Luckily most born do get the nationality of one of their parents, but not all an it’s no thanks to the United Kingdom’s nationality laws.

    “This is your new [how many years must one reside here before ‘new’ gets dropped?] home and you should feel free to walk with your head held high in dignity and respect.”

    “[W]e are one BVI family and it does not matter where you were born.” That’s make-believe Lorna. The territory’s law most certainly care about where one is born.

    Lorna, it is also make-believe to pretend it is fair to impose a 7% tax on the manner that poor people chose to send money out of the territory (Moneygram or WU) but leave the ways better off people do so (Bank transfers) unaffected. It’s an outrageous tax Lorna, let’s not bring the good Lord into this dirty affair.
  • bvi (03/06/2020, 21:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    mama thank you much they know that it is not right to taxed the USA DOLLARS so they used the blue ink pen to right the damn 7% tax on the recipes they can't put it in the system hello. my god what next
  • islandwoman (04/06/2020, 15:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lorna has always been living in denial. What a shame!!! People should really feel proud and hold their heads up high, for what? I think she is just trying to stay relevant and look like a good writer but old people always say if you have nothing to say is best you stay quiet. This article is rubbish Lorna!!!


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