“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” These words are attributed to Jesus of Nazareth, who is said to have given them in response to a question whether it was lawful for Jews to pay taxes to Rome. He was wise not to allow the question to get Him in trouble.
The refusal to pay taxes because of opposition to a government measure is called tax resistance. This is considered a form of direct action that is well in the category of civil disobedience.
Tax resisters are distinct from tax protesters, who deny that the legal obligation to pay taxes exists or applies or is fair. You may protest the policy and the law, but you will suffer penalties in excess of the burden for resisting a legal obligation.
Many property owners in Barbados have dutifully lined up and paid their municipal solid waste tax and still enjoyed a merry little Christmas. Many other property owners have not yet contributed because they simply could not afford to make a lump sum payment a priority over other more immediately pressing obligations.
A third category of Barbadian property owners seem to be saying that they are not paying the tax “on principle” – or perhaps they are hoping that Santa would have brought some relief to the “parlous state of the Treasury”, or that the Government will come to its senses and excuse them in particular from making the contribution.
Well, to you in this last group I say, “Take good counsel – and accept correction – that is the way to live wisely and well.” Pay the tax!
Resistant taxpayers have two avenues open for legal avoidance. The first is to ensure that your elected representative knows that you are paying the tax under protest.
Attach a letter to your payment or write to him/her expressing the reason for your objection and your sincere hope that it will not be a recurring tax. This might save you paying next year – don’t believe for a moment that this tax will turn around the country’s economy.
The second avenue to avoid the municipal tax might be harder to effect immediately, but the most certain and legal long-term tax avoidance strategy is to reduce your tax exposure.
In the case of the municipal tax, sell the non-productive property. There are too many empty or unfinished buildings smearing the country’s landscape.
So good fellow Barbadians, stop being delusional. Have a slightly less prosperous New Year, and keep the ship from sinking further. We all have the economy, the society and the government we deserve, and we will pay this tax in the end one way or another – it is certain.
