The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
2016.06.28
16 Deputy M.R. Higgins of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding
research commissioned into the Jersey tax system: [9538]
What research have Ministers commissioned into the Jersey tax system? When and by whom was it conducted? What were the findings of any such research and will the research be published and, if so, when?
The Bailiff :
You have 90 seconds, Minister.
Senator A.J.H. Maclean (The Minister for Treasury and Resources): Are you counting, Sir?
The Bailiff :
Yes.
Senator A.J.H. Maclean:
In 2010, both the Fiscal Strategy Review and a business tax review were undertaken. These reviews examined the options for making changes to the Island's personal tax regime, including measures such as G.S.T. (Goods and Services Tax) and social security contributions, and the Island's company tax regime as well. Both of these reviews involved full public consultations. Furthermore, to help inform these reviews, supporting research was also commissioned and the Economics Unit prepared a detailed research paper. The consultation documents, the summary of the responses and the supporting research papers can be found on the States website.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
There have been other reports, commissioned in the past, which have not been released to States Members, including around having tax-neutral positions for the finance industry and so on. Will the Minister publish those? Because I think at a time when we are going to be debating cuts in various departments we need to understand everything that has been going on, not just what you are planning on spending it on or the little piecemeal bits and pieces you give us. We need to have the full facts so we can make proper decisions on the Medium Term Financial Plan. Will the Minister publish the other tax information, which has not been released?
Senator A.J.H. Maclean:
The Deputy is absolutely right: there are many, many reports that have been prepared in this area, but of course, with only 90 seconds, it was not possible to cover them all. I will say to him that all of these reports, just about as far as I am aware, have been published, are in the public domain and, if he used the very fine search facilities that the Greffe provides on the website, I am sure he can find them. If he needs help, we are more than happy to help him.
- Deputy R. Labey :
The Property Tax Review went out to consultation a couple of years ago. Where are the results of that?
Senator A.J.H. Maclean:
As far as I am aware, the update was given at the last budget as far as the Property Tax Review was concerned. There is going to be a further paper published in that regard in due course.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
As we have just seen, even with the Property Tax Report, an update has not been put. Will the Minister put that paper out, so that all States Members have that information before we get into the nitty gritty of the Medium Term Financial Plan?
Senator A.J.H. Maclean:
Is the Deputy talking specifically about a property tax review paper? If that is what he is asking, yes, of course, I would be delighted to get that into the public domain as soon as we can.