The Tax Administration and Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) launching their Senior Tax Assistance Programme (see related story) is no doubt welcome. Many have trouble filing and may not be able to afford a private tax advisor.
Starting on March 9, the initiative offers elderly persons free assistance with completing and submitting their income tax forms. That is no luxury, also considering that the current maximum General Old Age Provision AOV is 1,407 Caribbean guilders monthly.
Retirees without a paying job or other pension have to survive with that on a relatively expensive island. Moreover, immigrants who did not legally reside in the country their entire adult lives get only a part corresponding to the years they did.
Having the programme available at Community Helpdesks makes it more accessible. Seniors often don’t have transportation of their own.
However, the annual income ceiling of Cg. 18,000 can be questioned. That is Cg. 1,500 per month, reducing the potential target to a smaller group.
These kinds of limits should reflect today’s reality. One good recent example was a proposal by Member of Parliament (MP) Sjamira Roosenburg (URSM) to increase the maximum value for properties that fall under the Rent Tribunal from Cg. 200,000 to Cg. 850,000.
Similarly, a unanimously adopted motion by MP Francisco Lacroes (UP) called for raising balances allowed on the already approved but yet to be enacted basic bank account from Cg. 3000 to Cg. 5,400.
Regardless of specific amounts, the point is that to be effective, such facilities need to have a broad and widespread impact.
