Liberate calls for equality in tax returns
OVERHAULING the income tax system is a chance to bring it into the 21st century, the chairperson of Liberate has said.
The Personal Tax, Pensions and Benefits Review – which seeks to place the island on a financially firm footing from 2025 to tackle the so-called demographic time bomb – includes proposals to switch to a system where, for income tax purposes, everyone is treated as an individual.
Currently, tax allowances can be transferred between married couples or couples with children.
And Martin Gavet believed the review should also be used as an opportunity to ensure fairness and equality become engrained in the system.
The overhaul could bring it into the 21st century, he said, because its present form represents 'extreme inequity'. 'Even on the form it says "wife", which suggests it is being filled out by the man, so there is a gender equality issue there.
'There is no provision for same-sex partners from outside of the island.
'Moving to individual tax forms, it really depends on how they will treat married couples.
'This is a chance to overhaul the system.'
