EDITOR, The Tribune.

The widely perceived  Mantra of the Progressive Liberal Party is: family, friends and lovers. The past two and a half years of their administration have only reinforced that perception. However, they have a unique opportunity to somewhat “redeem” themselves.

Value Added Tax (VAT) became effective on January 1, 2015. VAT is the PLP’s baby, never before applied in this Great Commonwealth. They (PLP) have a golden opportunity to (at least) get one thing right in five years. As I understand it, businesses will not be registered if they owe outstanding amounts to other government institutions (NIB, property taxes, etc). This is in keeping with “best business practices”.

This Administration has demonstrated that they can in fact “collect outstanding” taxes when it suits their agenda. I was truly impressed at the warp speed in which they forced the Numbers Industry to cough up millions in taxes in three months!

Wow! This indicates to me that they are “selective”  in applying the law. Come on man, they can assess and collect seven million in three months from illegal enterprises, how come they cannot collect taxes from established businesses sanctioned by the government? Family, friends and lovers?

As a citizen of this great Commonwealth, I am posing the following questions to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet:

Are there any businesses that should be registered and are not?

Are there any businesses that presently owe Government taxes in excess of $50,000 that are in fact registered?

Are there any businesses that are in fact not honouring their existing “payment arrangement” that have been registered?

I am aware that this “haughty” government may ignore my relevant request.

Consequently, I am appealing to The Deputy Leader of The Free National Movement, Mr K Peter Turnquest to raise the issue in Parliament at the earliest opportunity.

BRADLEY L ARMBRISTER

Freeport, Grand Bahama,

January 13, 2015.