Government tax plans are unfair
Tuesday July 27 2010
I AM writing to comment on the Government's plans to consider the double whammy of both a water and a property tax in the next Budget.
This will hit householders struggling to make ends meet in a most profound way and indicates once again that the Government is out of touch.
I have no real issue with a water tax, if it is based on usage, and not designed simply to fill the coffers of a Government that blew years of economic growth on race tents, developers' loopholes and trips overseas for wives and partners.
A usage-based water tax at least would have the beneficial effect of making people consider how much water they use each month.
Having lived in the United States I am quite used to the idea of pay-as-you-go water when the funds are used to update and maintain a modern water system. But that will not be the case here.
As for a property tax, I hope the citizens will protest vigorously if this comes to pass. Too many people are struggling with mortgages on properties that were over-priced and on which they have already paid stamp duty. To get hit with a new property tax is as close to double taxation as I can think.
Colleen Fitzgerald
Rathfarnham, Co Dublin
