27% GST 'would need level playing field'
A LEVEL playing field would have to be applied if a goods and services tax was introduced, the Chamber of Commerce president has said.
After a radical suggestion that the tax could be set at 27% to wipe out the island's deficit and abolish income tax was included as part of the Annual Independent Fiscal Policy Review, Martyn Dorey, pictured, said that, should it be put into reality, there would have to be provisions in place to ensure local and online retailers both adhered to the tax.
'There are about five payment systems in the world, so you have to make sure that Guernsey is part of those systems, so every quarter the States is getting its "cheque",' he said.
However, not everyone saw it as a bold move worth investigating. Confederation of Guernsey Industry chairman Larry Granger was aghast at the suggestion, and said he had been assured by the island's top politician – Policy & Resources president Gavin St Pier – that under no circumstances would the issue be brought before the States chamber.
