Vanterpool calls for end to income tax on low wage earners
Former legislator Mark Vanterpool has called for the removal of income tax on low earners in the Virgin Islands, arguing that struggling residents should no longer face multiple deductions as they cope with the rising cost of living.
Vanterpool made the remarks during the launch of the People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) on May 13, where he delivered a wide-ranging speech criticising the pace of development in the territory and outlining proposals to ease pressure on residents.
Speaking about the economic challenges facing residents, Vanterpool said many families were struggling to afford basic necessities.
“Many of us are struggling. We can’t put food on our tables. We have difficulty sending our children to school, giving them lunch, giving them breakfast,” Vanterpool stated.
Already heavily taxed
He argued that workers on lower incomes were already paying several mandatory deductions and should not be burdened with income tax as well.
“For years now, we are talking. Why are we taxing the poor people income tax? We tax them NHI. We tax them Social Security, and yet we still tax them with income tax,” Vanterpool said.
Vanterpool also criticised Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley over the pace of tax reform discussions, saying relief was needed immediately.
“Why did the Premier have to tell us that he’s waiting until January to think about increasing the threshold for income tax for poor people? The poor people are suffering now,” Vanterpool stated.
Charge the rich people
He proposed exempting residents earning up to $25,000 annually from income tax while placing a greater burden on higher earners.
“So I am suggesting that we need to stop charging the poor people income tax up to $25,000 a year and charge the rich people. Let them pay more and let the poor people have food to put on the tables,” Vanterpool said. “Charge me more… I didn’t say I was rich.”
The former Fourth District Representative linked the proposal to wider concerns about the cost of living, housing affordability and economic opportunity for young people in the territory.
“Young people cannot even buy a home. Young people cannot make an investment. Small businesses are struggling,” he stated.
The Virgin Islands currently imposes a payroll tax on employees and employers, with rates varying by income level and business size. Residents also contribute to the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme and Social Security.
Calls for tax relief have surfaced periodically amid increasing concerns about inflation and the high cost of living in the territory. In recent weeks, the government has also discussed measures to reduce prices for selected goods through proposed consumer protection legislation.
During his address, Vanterpool said the PLM intends to focus on “ordinary people of the Virgin Islands.”
“Politics is meaningless if the people can’t survive,” he stated.
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IF WE CONTINUE TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE MARK AND LORNA IN POLITICS THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PROBLEMS. THEY JUMP AROUND LIKE GRASSHOPPERS. AND WE CONTINUE TO VOTE FOR THEM. THEY DONT CARE. CANT Y’ALL SEE THAT. ITS ALL ABOUT THEM AND THEIR OWN BENEFITS. RIGHT NOW MARK WILL SAY JUST ABOUT ANYTHING THAT SOUNDS PROMISING TO THE EARS. REMEMBER A MOUTH CAN SAY ANYTHING. HE’S DESPERATE TO BE IN CONTROL OF THAT MONEY. THAT’S WHY HE WANTS TO BE CHIEF. I BET HE’LL TELL YOU NEXT HE CAN TURN WATER INTO WINE.
You are a jealous person and it shows. Get off Mark and Lorna’s Tits for god’s sake! All the time wasters vying for seats in our next HOA and these are the only ones you see fit to jump on in every story? It’s really pathetic.
Uncle Mark is on the move.This si the kind of out the box thinking that will help the working people of the BVI . Uncle understands that once they have more money in their pocket they will spend more on locla businesses and help the whole economy. I can bet there is more for working people from Uncle.
Up the minimum wage to a “living wage” and the existing generous exception will work. Fix the root problem; stop just sticking on band aids.
Raising the wage is not the answer, Mark has the right answer! If anyone should take a financial hit for the betterment of the people, it’s the GOVERNMENT! Burdening small businesses with higher overheads does not help anybody. It’s amazing to me that business people are ridiculed and called selfish for seeking higher office but we have no problem electing green, do-nothing people to office and then complaining when nothing is done. How can anything be done when they have no idea where to even start? The voters deserve the government they get, that’s all.
PLM all the way. Here comes the action man with real actions for the people.
lol
(1.)Many of us are struggling. We can’t put food on our tables. We have difficulty sending our children to school, giving them lunch, giving them breakfast,” Vanterpool stated.
Fact check this please.
(2.)“So I am suggesting that we need to stop charging the poor people income tax up to $25,000 a year and charge the rich people. Let them pay more and let the poor people have food to put on the tables,” Vanterpool said. “Charge me more… I didn’t say I was rich.”
Stop playing with people’s minds with the semANTICS for political reasons. NOT VOTING FOR YOU THOUGH.
This a mad man end tax on low income and then do what rise tax on who, it looks like you will say any and anything for a clap , you sounding like Friday out of St Vincent Mark you need to pay descent salary and stop importing cheap labor . Mark your days in politics is over finish done with you jumping again shows that it power that you miss now that you have to follow the rules like the ordainary business owner.
You have any other clever, out of the box ideas to win over the low wage earners, Mark?
When this man has a chance to impress us with innovations ideas to “turn this country around”, he comes up with this mindless dribble.
The low wage earners don’t want your cheap handouts. They want to be challenged to utilise their God-given talents; to be productive and feel accomplished in their productivity. This will drive our economy and increase the ‘feel good, happy’ quotient in this place.
Right now, this is very low.