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Energy Tax Outcry, Wisynco To Demand Refund
Published:Tuesday September 20, 2011 | 4:02 pm0 Comments
The Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) has called for the Government to clarify its position regarding the Special Consumption Tax to be applied to energy drinks.
The Government announced last week it would reintroduce the tax after the ministry of health provides a definition for the term, ‘energy drink’.
In a release this morning the JMA expressed concern that the definition, now being used, does not deliver a level playing field, as it gives some imported finished products an advantage over locally produced energy drinks.
The association accused the Government of an impulsive and ad hoc approach to announcing the tax on energy drinks, saying it has caused confusion, distractions and loss of productive time.
The JMA also wants the Government to open up consultation with businesses – to be affected by the tax – before it moves ahead with implementation.
Meanwhile, William Mahfood, managing director of Wisynco, said a formal letter is to be sent to the ministry of finance today requesting a refund of money already paid over in taxes on energy drinks.
Mahfood complained last week that his company had been paying the taxes since December, although it has now been announced that the measure had been withdrawn.
As a result, he said the Government owes Wisynco approximately $100 million in taxes.
editorial@gleanerjm.com
Published:Tuesday September 20, 2011 | 4:02 pm0 Comments
The Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) has called for the Government to clarify its position regarding the Special Consumption Tax to be applied to energy drinks.
The Government announced last week it would reintroduce the tax after the ministry of health provides a definition for the term, ‘energy drink’.
In a release this morning the JMA expressed concern that the definition, now being used, does not deliver a level playing field, as it gives some imported finished products an advantage over locally produced energy drinks.
The association accused the Government of an impulsive and ad hoc approach to announcing the tax on energy drinks, saying it has caused confusion, distractions and loss of productive time.
The JMA also wants the Government to open up consultation with businesses – to be affected by the tax – before it moves ahead with implementation.
Meanwhile, William Mahfood, managing director of Wisynco, said a formal letter is to be sent to the ministry of finance today requesting a refund of money already paid over in taxes on energy drinks.
Mahfood complained last week that his company had been paying the taxes since December, although it has now been announced that the measure had been withdrawn.
As a result, he said the Government owes Wisynco approximately $100 million in taxes.
editorial@gleanerjm.com
