Imbert: Education is the first step

Imbert said the issues to be dealt with include whether the property tax is a new tax; how the system differs from the one used prior to 2009; processes for valuation and property tax assessment; what is the annual rental value and how is it calculated; what is the annual taxable value; do all properties in TT have a rental value; who is responsible for the valuation of the property; how often will a valuation be conducted on properties and explanation of the relevant provisions of the Valuation of Land Act and the Property Tax Act.

Imbert was unable to provide a cost for this ini tiative but promised to do so if the Opposition posed the question correctly to him. However, he added, “I am certain that the returns would be at least 100 times the cost.” Later in the sitting, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal questioned whether 238 new jobs were created through the employment of people at valuators for the property tax.

Moonilal also scoffed at Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s comment that squatters would have to pay property tax.

“How much revenue do you expect to get from squatters?” he asked.