I live in France but I'm charged income tax on my pension

It appears that any income generated in Guernsey is fair play to them, although you have paid income tax on pension payments when you were working.

I no longer live in Guernsey, and therefore do not use any facilities on the island, yet my OAP is taxed. I pay my income tax in France, where I live. I have been advised by various people to contact the French tax authorities and ask for relief on what I pay in Guernsey. I have been told by various advocates and tax experts that double taxing is against the law, clearly not in Guernsey, as they are once again a law unto themselves.

I have spoken to the Revenue Service and they have advised me that this is the case and the legislation was passed by the States last year. I would love to know how many members were ‘told’ to vote for this unfair piece of legislation. I wonder how many of them are of pensionable age that it also affects them?

Furthermore, I have spoken to Deputy Mark Helyar, who I would have thought as a ‘people’s’ deputy would realise what financial hardship this would cause most pensioners, who let’s face it are an easy target. He declined to comment – what a surprise.

In conclusion I hope that other pensioners like myself have some voice in complaining to the States about this unfair legislation. I doubt that any ‘people’s’ deputy would take it on as they have all been forced to ‘toe the company line’. The situation is disgraceful and needs to be changed sooner rather than later. The members that voted for this proposal need to take a look in the mirror and decide what they are deputies for, either for the people of the island and further afield or not. Time to be counted and either slide away or stand up for people who currently don’t have a voice. I wonder how many of them will?

Peter Carr