United Employees Get together – The United Employees Get together (UWP) expresses sturdy objection to the latest proposal by the Authorities of Saint Lucia outlining harsh measures for people and companies with excellent tax funds. The UWP firmly believes {that a} extremely punitive strategy to tax assortment of taxes is counterproductive and advocates for honest and environment friendly strategies that promote tax compliance with out compromising particular person rights.
First, the Authorities’s intention to double the penalty rate of interest from 10% to a staggering 20% is extreme and unreasonable. This hike within the rate of interest can have a devastating impression on people and companies already grappling with the challenges of the present financial local weather. Fairly than unreasonable and unfair rates of interest, the federal government ought to cut back the alternatives for noncompliance in order that penalties not often must be utilized.
Equally troubling is the proposal to grant the Comptroller of Inland Income the authority to grab belongings, together with houses, to get well unpaid taxes. This measure is draconian and disproportionate, probably resulting in eventualities the place households might lose their houses as a result of unpaid tax liabilities. This coverage not solely creates worry and uncertainty, but additionally jeopardizes the general financial stability of our nation.
Moreover, the requirement for people owing taxes to acquire permission to journey is an unprecedented encroachment on private freedoms. This coverage will not be solely an infringement upon the proper to freedom of motion but additionally locations an pointless bureaucratic burden on residents.
The UWP believes in honest and environment friendly tax assortment strategies that help the event of the nation whereas respecting the rights and dignities of its residents. We urge the Authorities to rethink these harsh measures and interact in a extra consultative course of with stakeholders to seek out balanced options that enhance tax compliance with out resorting to punitive and oppressive techniques.
We stand with the individuals of Saint Lucia in advocating for honest and simply governance, and we are going to proceed to voice our issues in opposition to any measures that threaten basic liberties and the welfare of our residents.
