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A reader has expressed his frustration at a survey seeking islanders' views on proposed changes to the tax system, suggesting the Government doesn't appear to be interested in hearing from those that oppose.
"I think that fundamentally changing our tax system at a time of turmoil due to covid-19 and a multitude of associated rules and regulations is not the best of timing.
Particularly as the change means that many taxpayers' tax year will change from prior year to current year and will mean that eventually, a back-year of tax will have to be paid by those affected by the change.
When I tried to complete the official survey document, I answered 'no' to the early question asking me if I was in favour of the change. I was then confronted with questions about aspects of the change, none of which fitted my view regarding whether there should be a change at this time.
If I did not answer any of the questions, all I got was a red 'error' signal demanding a reply to every question. This meant that I could not complete the survey, nor could I submit my negative reply to the question asking if the change should be made in the first place.
Clearly the survey is not about whether the change in tax year should be made, only about how taxpayers should pay off the one year of tax arrears created by the change. If so, that should be clearly stated."
Pierre Horsfall, CBE
