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PNP wants answers on how gov’t will fund proposed income tax threshold increase

Published:Tuesday | February 13, 2024 | 3:26 PM
People’s National Party president Mark Golding (left) and PNP General Secretary and parliamentary candidate for Eastern Westmoreland Dr Dayton Campbell at a local government election campaign rally in Westmoreland on February 13. - Albert Ferguson photo.

The People's National Party (PNP) wants Prime Minister Andrew Holness to tell Jamaicans how the government plans to finance an increase in the income tax threshold.

On Saturday, Holness told a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) local government campaign rally in Clarks Town, Trelawny that a version 2.0 of the $1.5 million pay-as-you-earn threshold is to be implemented by his administration.

The $1.5 million income tax threshold was a 2016 campaign promise by the JLP, which was implemented after the party won the general election.

"It is the Jamaica Labour Party that understands how to increase your wages substantially …," Holness told supporters on Saturday.

READ: Holness promises version 2.0 of $1.5 million income tax threshold

But, speaking today on a campaign tour in Westmorland, PNP president Mark Golding called the announcement a political gimmick, further arguing that low-income earners will not benefit from the move. 

“This 1.5 second edition that they are coming with, if you are not earning at least $29,000 a week you have nothing to get from any increase of the 1.5,” said Golding.

“And I say to the government, don't just come with a gimmick because we are in a campaign. If you are serious, tell us how you are going to pay for any increase in the 1.5,” the PNP president added.

Golding argued that Jamaicans deserved to be told how the JLP administration will fund any level of increase, claiming that taxpayers were saddled with higher taxes to shoulder its 2016 election promises.

“The last time you pay for it [increase in income tax threshold] by putting more GCT [general consumption tax] and more SCT [Special Consumption Tax] on the backs of the people and it increased poverty and inequality in this country,” Golding argued. 

“Comrades, we are now in the silly season of politics and the government is promising everything under the sun [but] don't be tricked or fooled; most of what they tell you they will never deliver on,” he added. 

- Albert Ferguson 

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