Sir, – In pointing out the emotive element of property tax in Ireland, Stephen Collins (Opinion, March 9th) echoes some of the problems/solutions debated here in Northern Ireland. He states that the idea of property tax is to avoid increases in income tax. Why should this be so?
The only way to fairly collect tax must surely be based on income. There are a number of indicators pointing to this. 1. The size of the property has no real relationship with the use of local and national services.2. The owner of the property may be almost bankrupt. 3. Collected as income tax would ensure that all those resident pay a share of their earnings.
Finally, there is no point in sending a huge property tax bill to a home, say consisting of a number of school children, a mother at home and a father earning a wage many times less than that which the inventors of this “government money spinner” earn (not to mention their dubious additional expenses claims). Of course this system would mean wealthy citizens pay more, perish the thought ! – Yours, etc,
JOHN BLACK,
Fernagh Drive,
Newtownabbey, Co Antrim.