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As per Winston Jordan to the Guyana Parliament yesterday.

Increase in travel tax from $2,500 to $3,500;
Increase in the fee for a passport from $4,000 to $6,000;
Increased fees for transfer of motor vehicle registration for motor cycle and other vehicles, ranging from $5,000 for motor cycles to $25,000 or 2% of sale price;
Imposition of a fee of $2,000 for a Driving Permit issued to drivers residing abroad but visiting the country temporarily;...
Imposition of a fee of $2,000 for persons requiring a Letter of Authenticity for verification of drivers' licences;
Increase in fees for Application and Renewal of Intoxicating Liquor licences;
Increase in penalties relating to licences for Spirituous Liquor.

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:

The most "taxing" budget ever in Guyana!

They have to pay Jagdeo pension you know.  Oh and themselves too LOL.  Guyana has to be one of the most "bureaucratic" country in the world.  The cost of government is much more than infrastructure investment.

Guyana bureaucratic spending cannot be sustained without the help of drugs money.  If gold tank Guyana will be in even more deep $hit. 

FM
VVP posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:

The most "taxing" budget ever in Guyana!

They have to pay Jagdeo pension you know.  Oh and themselves too LOL.  Guyana has to be one of the most "bureaucratic" country in the world.  The cost of government is much more than infrastructure investment.

Guyana bureaucratic spending cannot be sustained without the help of drugs money.  If gold tank Guyana will be in even more deep $hit. 

Jagdeo was President for 11 years and Minister of Finance for many years before that, so I don't think it's illegal or unethical for him to receive a pension. 

Did this change at yesterday's budget meeting???

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:
VVP posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:

The most "taxing" budget ever in Guyana!

They have to pay Jagdeo pension you know.  Oh and themselves too LOL.  Guyana has to be one of the most "bureaucratic" country in the world.  The cost of government is much more than infrastructure investment.

Guyana bureaucratic spending cannot be sustained without the help of drugs money.  If gold tank Guyana will be in even more deep $hit. 

Jagdeo was President for 11 years and Minister of Finance for many years before that, so I don't think it's illegal or unethical for him to receive a pension. 

Did this change at yesterday's budget meeting???

Yeah I think his pension and benefits are worth US$1,000 a month rather than US$10,000 or more he is pulling down.

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Amral posted:

Over here in cda we pay tax on water and electricity plus a delivery charge  so you want to tax about taxes   try living in cda

Paying taxes should be even playing field for every Guyanese. 

GPL workers cannot go in Buxton and Sophia to disconnect power from residents.. the residents leave them on top the light post and steel the ladder.  

Linden get subsidies on electricity. 

Illegal connection from water main. 

The residents would strip you naked and parade you out... 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Amral posted:

Over here in cda we pay tax on water and electricity plus a delivery charge  so you want to tax about taxes   try living in cda

Canada has a social safety net that is better than any other country in the world.  You pay taxes when you are young but you are taken care of when you are old or widowed or disabled.  Guyana doesn't have that.  Every penny counts.

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:

As per Winston Jordan to the Guyana Parliament yesterday.

Increase in travel tax from $2,500 to $3,500;
Increase in the fee for a passport from $4,000 to $6,000;
Increased fees for transfer of motor vehicle registration for motor cycle and other vehicles, ranging from $5,000 for motor cycles to $25,000 or 2% of sale price;
Imposition of a fee of $2,000 for a Driving Permit issued to drivers residing abroad but visiting the country temporarily;...
Imposition of a fee of $2,000 for persons requiring a Letter of Authenticity for verification of drivers' licences;
Increase in fees for Application and Renewal of Intoxicating Liquor licences;
Increase in penalties relating to licences for Spirituous Liquor.

You are only relating one side of the story. How about the others noted below. When looked at as a whole picture, taxpayers (especially ones with lower incomes) will probably end up with more money in their pockets.

http://guyanachronicle.com/201...is-a-win-win-budget/

INTRODUCED in Guyana under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP) Administration in 2007, Value Added Tax (VAT) has been reduced in the 2017 budget β€” from 16 per cent to 14 per cent. However, this reduction has been accompanied by implementation of VAT on both electricity and water.

Persons consuming $10,000 and more in electricity will be required to pay 14 per cent VAT, while persons consuming $1,500 and more on water will pay similar taxes.

Minutes after the 250-billion-dollar- budget for 2017 was presented to the National Assembly by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo explained that, despite the naysayers, the APNU+AFC Administration has made good on its promise to the people of Guyana by reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) by two per cent, thus Guyanese should not be distracted by the pessimists.

Based on information received, Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained that of the 138,000 customers subscribed with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), 105,000 residents and 4,800 businesses pay less than $10,000 per month for electricity. Thus approximately 80 per cent of the consumers will not be affected by this new measure, he said, adding that a similar vast group of persons pay less than $1,500 per month for the supply of water from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), and as such would not be made to pay VAT.

According to the Prime Minister, the measure introduces a mechanism that allows for conservation of electricity. β€œWhile GPL would want to make money, it also has a national responsibility to ensure that people use electricity responsibly,” he said, while calling on consumers to conserve on their electricity.

In giving an overview of the budget, themed β€œBuilding a Diversified, Green Economy: Delivering the Good Life to All Guyanese,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo said the 2017 budget is people-centered, and has a wide geographic spread. β€œThe geographic spread is greater than any budget I have listened to,” he posited, noting that it takes into serious account the hinterland regions, the areas of electricity infrastructure, and the creation of jobs.

FOCUS ON PEOPLE
β€œI believe that in this regard it is a qualitative new leap into distributing the resources of the state, and focusing on the people who matter – the rural poor, the hinterland folks, Amerindians, the elderly, students and children (and) women,” he said. He noted that the budget also addresses the issues of inequality and inefficiency.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who also addressed the media in the presence of the Prime Minister minutes after he would have presented the budget, also said that a study has shown that many consumers utilise less than $10,000 in electricity.

β€œWe have done the study and it showed us that $10,000 is a very high threshold relative to electricity consumption; therefore, most people would not be troubled by the VAT on electricity. It is only when it goes past $10,000,” he said.

It was pointed out, too, that systems would be put in place for the utilisation of energy saving bulbs for persons consuming large amounts of electricity. In the 2017 budget, the Government has made a budgetary allocation of almost $1B for the implementation of a series of renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects. These include replacement of inefficient lights, installation of 10,427 light-emitting diode (LED) lamps and 3,766 occupancy sensors in government buildings, as well as 360 energy efficient outdoor lights. These interventions, the Finance Minister noted, will result in annual energy savings.

Minister Jordan is of the strong view that the measures designed to reduced inequality and simultaneously increase disposal income will be of significant benefit to Guyanese.

According to the measures he has implemented, the current income tax threshold of $660,000 per annum has been increased to $720,000 per annum, or one-third of the employee’s salary. As such, 7,600 persons will be taken off of the tax register, he said.

Additionally, Government has taken a decision to reduce the Personal Income Tax rate from 30 per cent to 28 per cent for individuals earning less than $2,160,000 per annum, or $180,000 per month.

TAX THRESHOLD
β€œI don’t think people understand the measure. It’s $720,000 or 1/3 of your gross salary, which one is higher. So if you are working for $300,000, your tax threshold is $100,000; it is not $60,000, it is $100,000. If you are working for $500,000, you take a third of that. Right away that is your take home, the third alone; and the tax on the difference is 28 per cent, not 30 per cent; 28% up to $2.160M or 40%,” he explained.

According to him, more Guyanese would have a beter β€œtake home” pay under this administration.

The Finance Minister said the APNU+AFC Administration wanted to do more for the people of Guyana, but is faced with a number of expenditure commitments. The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO), he lamented, is a major financial burden to the country. In less than 18 months, the corporation has received a $32B bail out.
β€œJust imagine, if we didn’t have to transfer monies to GuySuCo, $32B would have been available; and part of what we could have done was to reduce the tolls (at the Berbice River Bridge) even further,” he posited.

It was noted, too, that the measures on the income tax will also cost the treasury close to $4B. β€œThat is $4B in lost income,” Minister Jordan told reporters.

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....t-unveiled-for-2017/

Within the timeframe of 3 hours and 15 minutes, Finance Minister Winston Jordan yesterday

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

informed the National Assembly, and sections of the nation through live broadcast, of how his Government intends to spend some $250B for the year 2017, so as to achieve β€œthe good life” for all Guyanese.
The budget, which is presented on an annual basis, is one of the most important economic instruments of the government. It seeks to ensure that the state has the resources it needs to execute the works planned for the fiscal year, create conditions which stimulate economic growth and clearly indicate the priorities of the government.
This is the third budget of the Coalition Government in just over a year and half in office.
The Finance Minister noted that the theme for the 2017 budget is; β€œBuilding a Diversified, Green Economy: Delivering the Good Life to All Guyanese.” Jordan said that Budget 2017 is designed to consolidate the gains the Government made since its accession to office, improve economic performance, and define a sustainable pathway to the happiness and prosperity of Guyana.
Delving into the goodies of the budget, Jordan sought to provide a portrait of the economic state of affairs of the global economy.
Among his disclosures in this regard, the Finance Minister said that the price of crude oil, a key import for Guyana, is expected to average US$55 per barrel in 2017, up from an average of US$43 so far in 2016. He said that the magnitude of the increase could be less if the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is unable to reach agreement to limit output.
Additionally, the Finance Minister said that the threat of gold prices declining in 2017, combined with rising oil prices and global issues such as de-risking and climate change, will pose a major risk to Guyana’s economy that will demand enlightened management.
He noted that the nation’s relatively undiversified economy leaves it particularly vulnerable to these external shocks, as well as internal financial distress in its major industries. In response to this fiscal forecast, the Finance Minister said that the Government will continue, therefore, to implement policies designed to maximize opportunities and minimize the damage that emanate from such risks. It is against that he provided a review of the performance of the economy in 2016
The traditional sectors did not perform well this year. Despite an encouraging recovery in 2015, Jordan said that sugar is projected to decline by 18.7 percent, to reach 188,000 metric tonnes in 2016.
Due to continued uncertainty in the rice industry, he said that output is expected to reach 600,000 metric tonnes in 2016, representing a decline of 12.8 percent from the levels achieved in 2015.
As for the livestock sub-sector, Jordan said that it is expected to contract by 5.1 percent in 2016. With regard to the forestry sub-sector, the Finance Minister said that it is expected to contract significantly by 33.3 percent, principally as a result of Barama halting the production of logs and the UK’s restriction on greenheart logs originating from Guyana.
In relation to the manufacturing sector, this industry is projected to contract by 7.1 percent, as a result of the dismal performances in sugar and rice, as well as a small decline in other manufacturing.
Jordan noted too that construction declined from a budgeted 10.5 percent to a projected 3.2 percent in 2016. This performance is related to a decline in activity in the housing sector.
On the bright side, Guyana’s mining and quarrying sector is projected to grow by 35.7 percent in 2016, the highest in over a decade.
Turning his attention to the area of income for public servants, Jordan said that Government upheld its promise to allow the collective bargaining process to function in setting the wage and salary increases. Following extensive negotiations with the Union, in which no agreement was reached and mindful of the early Budget and the workers’ need to be compensated given the lateness of the year, Jordan announced that the Government granted wage increases as follows:

(i) 10 percent increase to public servants earning less than $100,000 per month;
(ii) 6 percent to those earning between $100,000 to below $300,000;
(iii) 5 percent to those earning between $300,000 to below $500,000;
(iv) 4 percent to those earning between $500,000 to below $800,000;
(v) 2 percent to those earning between $800,000 to below $1,000,000; and
(vi) 1 percent to those earning $1,000,000 and above.

In addition, the minimum basic salary for each public servant was raised to $55,000 per month, representing an almost 40 percent increase in the minimum wage in less than eight months since the Government acceded to office, while the threshold was raised by 10 percent to $660,000 per annum.
The Finance Minister also disclosed how Central Government will be raising funds this year.
Jordan noted in this regard that several one-off payments of arrears from delinquent companies, coupled with increased company income tax collections, are expected to contribute to an improved tax revenue performance, while non-tax collection will benefit from increased royalties from the mining sector.
He asserted that the projected total revenue collection for 2016 is $174.8 billion, which is 0.9 percent more than budgeted and 7.4 percent better than in 2015.
As for tax revenue, Jordan said that this is projected to rise to $149.3 billion, representing an increase of 4.5 percent, driven primarily by an 8.2 percent, or $2.5 billion increase in the collection of company income taxes and an 8 percent, or $1.6 billion increase in personal income taxes.
The economist revealed that international and trade transactions are expected to rise to $16.3 billion, or 16.3 percent.
Meanwhile, Value-Added Tax collections are projected to increase by 1.7 percent to $36.0 billion. Excise tax collections will decrease by 10.4 percent to $29.9 billion. Rent and royalties will soar to $4.4 billion, from a meagre $8.8 million in 2015, and will be driven by the expansion in gold production. Further, transfers from statutory bodies will reach $8.5 billion, up from the $7.9 billion transferred in 2015, while dividends from public enterprises will rise to $2.2 billion, from $1 billion in 2015. Additionally, the Finance Minister announced that transfers from the Lotto account will amount to $600 million.
Notwithstanding, the increased revenue in 2016, Jordan noted that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is expected to remit $42.6 billion. While this figure is $4.5 billion or 9.6 percent lower than the tax remissions in 2015, Jordan said that arduous effort will be exerted to monitor concessions granted in 2017.
With regard to allocations for key sectors, the Finance Minister said that $29.1B was allocated to restore confidence in the security sector, $31.2B was set aside towards the continued transformation of the health sector and $20.6B was budgeted for the agriculture sector with $9B going towards the Guyana Sugar Corporation. Additionally, $43.1B was allocated to the education sector.
An examination of the expenditure shares of key sectors reveals that education has moved from 16.6 percent in 2015, to a proposed 17.2 percent in 2017; health has moved from 11.5 percent in 2015, to a proposed 12.5 percent in 2017; infrastructure has moved from 7.6 percent in 2015, to a proposed 14.9 percent in 2017; and public security has moved from 11 percent in 2015, to a proposed 11.6 percent in 2017.
The shifting composition of the expenditure in 2017 reflects a closer alignment of resource allocation with national priorities.
In this regard, Jordan commented that the Government is acutely aware that the capacity of its human capital and institutional systems to spend, combined with the poor quality of public expenditure, will continue to delimit its ability to effectively allocate resources.
In the 2017 budget, the Finance Minister also announced a number of measures. Some of these include; the lowering of the excise tax on hybrid and electric vehicles; the granting of tax exemptions to set up electric vehicle charging stations; the Zero-rating of the excise tax on biofuel and specially designed refuse trucks; the restriction of used tyres; and a reduction of taxes on new tyres.
Additional measures for budget 2017 include 14 percent VAT increase on water and electricity bills, as well as an increase in Old Age pension to $19,000.

Mars
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Amral posted:

If you can afford to go to Guyana you can bloody well pay the departure fee

Why should you have to pay a departure fee in the first place?  I have never gone to a country where I have to pay a departure fee.

Then you have never traveled or just playing de Azz. even the USA had departure tax and almost all other caricom countries departure tax is higer than Guyana.

Pointblank

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