Roadtown, Tortola - The Payroll Tax Review Committee (PTRC) urges public participation in the upcoming community meetings as they continue to travel throughout the Territory seeking feedback on the current payroll tax regime.
Last week the committee held two meetings, one in Road Town and the other in East End/Long Look where they were able to gather a number of comments and concerns from those in attendance. The meeting in East End held on March 26, which was well attended, was interrupted due to a power outage and has been rescheduled for the month of April.
Chairman of the PTRC Mr. Ian Smith said he was pleased with the turnout in East End/Long Look. “I was pleased with the turn out and participation in the public at the East End/Long Look meeting last week and we regret that we were unable to continue the meeting due to the power outage. But we promise to return towards the end of April to continue the discussion and get their feedback,” Mr. Smith said.
Mr. Smith is urging the public to attend the upcoming meetings because their input is critical for this process.
The series of public meetings will continue on Wednesday, April 1 on Virgin Gorda at the Ashford Waters Community Centre and on Thursday, April 2 at the Abraham Leonard Community Centre in Carrot Bay. Both meetings will begin at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting for the sister island of Jost Van Dyke will be held on Saturday, April 4 at the Jost Van Dyke Primary School at 2:00 p.m. The Anegada meeting will be on Thursday, April 16 at the Emile E. Dunlop Community Centre at 10:00 a.m.
A payroll tax questionnaire is currently being disseminated around the Territory. Members of the public can obtain the survey at the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Inland Revenue in the Central Administration Building and the District Offices on Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.
The survey can also be completed online at www.finance.gov.vg and emailed to payrolltax@gov.vg. The completed questionnaires can be returned to the same locations. The deadline for submission is Thursday, April 30.
Members of the public who have already picked up and completed the Payroll Tax Questionnaire are being asked to please return them to the locations already mentioned in order to facilitate the processing of the same.
According to the committee, the purpose of the meetings and the survey is to determine public opinion on the current payroll tax regime. Information and comments received from the public will form part of the overall report which will be submitted to the Government later this year.
The Payroll Tax Review Committee was appointed by Government on June 23, 2008. The responsibilities of the committee are to review the Payroll Tax Act, 2004; identify inconsistencies within the Payroll Taxes Act; and make recommendations for amendments, or if deemed to be so, repeal the Payroll Taxes Act.
British Virgin Islands News