Dear Editor,

Income tax, gas tax, general consumption tax, education tax, property tax, and now…special consumption tax? What will they tax next, breathing?

Please allow me to register my displeasure with the Minister of Finance Fayval Williams’ proposed new taxes.

I am a civil servant, and among the most heavily taxed sector of society, the middle class. Over 90 per cent of my business transactions are done digitally — from paying utility bills to transferring funds, paying school fees, purchasing grocery, buying petrol, among other things.

Is the honourable minister aware that members of some banks are already paying $12 per transaction each time they swipe their debit cards, $50 when they make a withdrawal at the automated teller machine, and $300-plus when they purchase from an overseas company?

So when you implement a tax on digital services, which already seems to be taxed, for all intents and purposes, what will those who are hardly living hand to mouth do? Not to mention that all businesses pass on additional taxes and costs to customers. That is why the rich maintain their riches while the poor gets poorer.

This will not affect our legislators as much, they will still be able to enjoy their alcoholic beverages after Parliament and their bank accounts have been fattened with enormous salary increases and allowances.

Who feels it knows!

Jesanya Scale Menzies

jesanya@yahoo.com