THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE INTRODUCTION of the current property tax leaves much to be desired. The revised schedule which now allows landowners to pay the provisional tax liability into which their valuations fall does not solve the problem.
There are actual cases in upscale areas where the tax liability of some owners is less than what was paid the previous year. Where this occurs landowners are being asked to pay the old tax.
Since such a owner would be paying last year's figure, others, even after appeal, will not be so fortunate. This itself shows up the flaws in the valuation system used.
This is not equitable and cannot be rectified by the juggling of figures nor by the reductions on appeals.
One way of rectifying this matter would be to reject the existing valuation schedule and to re-institute a more realistic one. This obviously cannot be completed for this tax year.
In the interim the Government should consider applying percentage increases on the previous taxes charged. A reasonable increase with seriously enforced compliance may not fall short of Government's projection. Any shortfall, however, could be rectified when revised valuations are done and which may indicate further increases.
This method would be more equitable and would not slow up the inflows in revenue as would be the case while taxpayers await the outcome of their appeals.
I am, etc.,
TAX PAYER
