The Editor, Sir:

I had the unfortunate experience two Saturdays ago of visiting one of my favourite Kingston restaurants, only to be told to add GCT to all prices. I instinctively looked around for signs of a GCT Registration Certificate, which should have been on display, but found none.

It should have been evident that any establishment purporting to collect GCT on behalf of the Inland Revenue Department should have on display a certificate authorising them to do so, in order to assure the consumer that any tax collected will be handed over and not be used to fill the coffers of the merchant.

Outraged staff

But on Saturday, the company had no GCT registration visible, and the staff seemed outraged that I should request proof. I hesitate to claim that they have been collecting GCT for the past three weeks without authorisation to do so, but by their "How-dare-you!" attitude, I can assert, on the other hand, that they have banked on the ignorance of the populace in the face of possibly illegal practices.

I am sure none of the customers enjoying the food even batted an eyelash at the prospect of paying over taxes to an unauthorised entity because, to us, if a company doesn't want to pay its taxes, it's fine, because it's Government's money.

Overtaxed

Unless we start to think of it as 'our money', the overtaxed will continue to be overburdened while the guilty continue to get rich. I hope the Inland Revenue Department will look into this matter, because as one of the overtaxed few, I am tired of footing the bill for other people's dishonesty and irresponsibility.

I pay a multitude of taxes to fund a batch of illiterate high-school graduates; for housing solutions I will never be able to afford; to educate children I chose not to have because I cannot afford; and provide health care for the multitude, while paying for my own private care at the same time. It is time enough for the good to stop suffering for the bad and everyone accept personal responsibility.

I am, etc.,

KHALINC

khalinc@hotmail.com