The property tax and buildings bills were among legislation passed in House of Assembly this week.
The Property Tax (Amendment) Bill 2023, which passed with amendments on March 5, is designed to ease the tax burden on property owners who fall behind in their payments.
Currently, late payers are required to pay compound interest, but the new bill would change that, requiring them to pay a simple 20 percent rate on the original amount owed. The bill would also extend the grace period for missed payments from one month to three months.
Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said the amendment will create a “fairer and more transparent process.”
“I would encourage everyone to pay their tax, because of course those taxes are needed to maintain our infrastructure; to offer good education, health care services and other public services,” Dr. Wheatley said. “So we have to become more efficient and more effective on paying our taxes. But, of course, government has a heart. Government is compassionate to those persons who, for whatever reason, have not been able to pay their property taxes.”
Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton called for greater clarity in the language of the bill.
“It’s a short amendment, but we need to get it right,” he said.
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer and Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley spoke to support the bill.
Buildings bill
Last Thursday, the HOA also passed the Buildings (Amendment) Act 2023 with amendments.
“The objective of the bill is to allow for the Building Ordinance CAP 234, section 41, and any relevant legislation be amended so that all references to ‘the chief engineer, the Public Works Department’ be replaced with ‘the chief planner, Town and Country Planning Department,’” the premier said.
Mr. Skelton said he had no objection to the bill but wants to make sure it makes the department an efficient “one-stop shop as [they] intend it to be.” The final versions of the bills, which await the governor’s assent, have not yet been Gazetted.