Category: Archive – 2005

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tan-Negozji z-Zghar u Medji, illum tirraprezzenta l-akbar firxa ta’ negozji fl-inhawi kollha li jridu mit-turisti li jigu Malta. Ghall-GRTU in-numru ta’ turisti li jigu Malta hu ferm importanti. Importanti li t-turizmu jinfirex ma’ Malta kollha u li l-Maltin kollha japprezzaw li t-turizmu mhux tal-ftit izda hu ta’ kulhadd. Minghajr turizmu u turizmu li dejjem jikber, il-Maltin m’ghandhomx cans li jalqghu d-distanza li illum tezisti bejn dak li jaqilghu huma u dak li jaqla’ cittadin iehor tal-Unjoni Ewropea fil-pajjizi li ilhom fl-Unjoni aktar minna.

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tan-Negozji z-Zghar u Medji, illum tirraprezzenta l-akbar firxa ta’ negozji fl-inhawi kollha li jridu mit-turisti li jigu Malta. Ghall-GRTU in-numru ta’ turisti li jigu Malta hu ferm importanti. Importanti li t-turizmu jinfirex ma’ Malta kollha u li l-Maltin kollha japprezzaw li t-turizmu mhux tal-ftit izda hu ta’ kulhadd. Minghajr turizmu u turizmu li dejjem jikber, il-Maltin m’ghandhomx cans li jalqghu d-distanza li illum tezisti bejn dak li jaqilghu huma u dak li jaqla’ cittadin iehor tal-Unjoni Ewropea fil-pajjizi li ilhom fl-Unjoni aktar minna.

Il-GRTU ghalhekk qed tinsisti mal-gvern biex ifittex jasal li ftiehem mal-low cost airlines ghax bis-sahha ta’ dawn biss Malta tista’ tkabbar sostanzjalment u fiz-zmien qasir in-numru ta’ turisti li jigu Malta. Il-GRTU ukoll qed tappella lill-gvern biex jara li ma jinholoqux aktar problemi lil min irid jinvesti biex johloq progetti godda u jhaddem progetti li jghollu l-kwalita’ ta’ servizzi li Malta toffri lit-turisti. Hawn hafna stabilimenti fil-lokalitajiet mifruxa ma’ Malta kollha li jixtieq jkunu ta’ servizz ahjar lit-turisti u li qed isibu diffikultajiet kbar biex jahdmu. Il-GRTU wkoll tappella lill-gvern biex ikompli fuq progetti bhal Golf Course f’Malta u Ghawdex u progetti ohra ta’ bhar-rihabilitation tac-centri storici biex il-prodott turistiku Malti jkompli jitjieb. Il-GRTU finalment tappella lis-sidien tan-negozj li jservu lit-turisti biex jaghrfu dejjem aktar li s-servizz taghhom irid ikun tal-ghola kwalita’ ghaliex kull wiehed u wahda minnhom hu ambaxxatur ta’ Malta mal-visitaturi li huma tant importanti ghall-pajjizna.

Il-GRTU din il-gimgha laqghet lill-Izviluppaturi tal-Proprjeta (Property Developers) u lil Agenti tal-Bejgh tal-Proprjeta (Estate Agents) biex f’laqghat separati jiddiskutu fid-dettal l-impatt tad-decizjoni tal-Budget li t-taxxa fuq it-trasferiment ta’ proprjeta tinbidel minn wahda ta’ capital gains tax ghall-final withholding tax .

Il-GRTU din il-gimgha laqghet lill-Izviluppaturi tal-Proprjeta (Property Developers) u lil Agenti tal-Bejgh tal-Proprjeta (Estate Agents) biex f’laqghat separati jiddiskutu fid-dettal l-impatt tad-decizjoni tal-Budget li t-taxxa fuq it-trasferiment ta’ proprjeta tinbidel minn wahda ta’ capital gains tax ghall-final withholding tax .

Kemm l-Agenti tal-Bejgh ta’ Proprjeta kif ukoll l-Izviluppaturi tal-Proprjeta qablu li l-Ligi kif inhi ser tohloq problemi kbar ghall-izviluppaturi li illum jixtru proprjeta u jtellghu bini li jimbiegh l-aktar lil Maltin. Dan hu xoghol li illum johloq hafna impjiegi u hafna attivita ekonomika lil hafna imprendituri zghar u self-employed barra li jwassal fuq s-suq proprjeta “affordable” ghall-hafna li jfittxu biex jixtru darhom.

Il-GRTU ghalhekk iltaqghet mas-Segretarju Parlamentari l-Onorevoli Tonio Fenech fejn resqet il-kummenti tal-izviluppaturi. Il-GRTU ipprezentat kontro proposti lil gvern kif il-ligi tista tigi amendata biex filwaqt li jinzamm l-beneficcju tas-sistema l-gdida ma jkunux mghobbija b’taxxa mhux accettabbli dawk li joholqu ix-xoghol.

Il-GRTU f’isem l-Agenti tal-Bejgh tal-Proprjeta u f’isem l-Izviluppaturi tal-Proprjeta ser tipprezenta fil-granet li gejjien dokumenti bl-amendi ghall-Abbozz tal-Ligi li jimplimenta l-Estimi u Mizuri Amministrattivi ohra, Taqsima II li jamenda l-Att dwar it-Taxxa fuq l-Income.

Il-proposti tal-GRTU huma mmirati biex tinghata option lil dawk li jixtru, jizviluppaw u jbieghu l-proprjeta f’terminu ta’ zmien preskritt li jkollhom l-ghazla li jkomplu jhaddnu s-sistema ta’ 7% provisional tax u 35% tax fuq il-qliegh stabbilit skond ir-rendikont ta’ spejjez ipprezentati mill-izviluppatur.

Il-GRTU wkoll talbet li jkun estiz immedjatament it-terminu ta’ zmien li fih irid isir it-trasferiment jew bejgh ta’ proprjeta fejn l-avviz tal-konvenju ta’ bejgh jew trasferiment jkun diga sar ghaliex il-perjodu sal-31 ta’ Dicembru 2005 hu qasir wisq.

L-amendi tal-GRTU huma wkoll intizi li min jiret proprjeta jgawdi mill-vantaggi tat-taxxa ta’ 12% final witholding fuq l-profitt flok il-35% li kienet tghodd qabel. Wkoll jibqghu igawdu mit-12% withholding dawk li jbieghu proprjeta li titpogga fuq is-suq wara numru ta’ snin li tkun nxtrat. Il-GRTU kienet resqet proposti f’dan is-sens qabel il-Budget ghax issotni li kif kienet it-taxxa fuq din it-tip ta’ proprjeta kienet ingusta u kienet kawza ta’ pressjoni zejda fuq l-prezzijiet tal-proprjeta.

Mid-diskussjonijiet li l-GRTU kellha mall-Onorevoli Tonio Fenech il-GRTU hi sodisfatta li hemm possibilta qawwija ta’ soluzzjoni prattika dwar din it-taxxa fl-ahjar interess ta’ kulhadd.

The Federation of Industry and the Chamber for Small and Medium Size Enterprises-GRTU have expressed their concern that increasing fuel costs will push inflation upwards while denting the country’s competitiveness

Host Families of Foreign Students meet to discuss the Tax Authorities demands

GRTU yesterday Monday 25th July 2005 convened a meeting at the Marquis Scicluna Hall at the Malta Trade Fair Centre, Naxxar for Host Families who lodge foreign students in their homes. Traditionally these Host Families paid no tax on the income supplements received from foreign students. The Tax Authorities are now insisting that these incomes are declared for income tax purposes and the Social Security Department is making other demands on social contributions and other demands effecting people receiving pensions or social assistance

· Host Families of Foreign Students meet to discuss the Tax Authorities demands

GRTU yesterday Monday 25th July 2005 convened a meeting at the Marquis Scicluna Hall at the Malta Trade Fair Centre, Naxxar for Host Families who lodge foreign students in their homes. Traditionally these Host Families paid no tax on the income supplements received from foreign students. The Tax Authorities are now insisting that these incomes are declared for income tax purposes and the Social Security Department is making other demands on social contributions and other demands effecting people receiving pensions or social assistance.

The Markiz Scicluna Hall was packed with people occupying every available space in the hall, corridors and adjacent spaces as the President of GRTU Mr Paul Abela welcomed those present and informed them that the Executive Council of GRTU had decided to accept registered Host Families as members and that GRTU was taking up this issue on behalf of Host Families.

Vincent Farrugia, Director General, GRTU reported that GRTU was already lobbying Ministers and Members of Parliament on behalf of Host Families and meetings were held with Minister Hon. Francis Dimech and Parliamentary Secretary, Tonio Fenech and he was hopeful that an acceptable solution can be negotiated.

GRTU had researched this issue and found that the EU Commission and various member states are highly supportive of the concept of families hosting students. All countries had legislations that promoted this activity as a highly desirable social action in the furtherance of better relations between member states and in the furtherance of education.

Vincent Farrugia stated that the concept of lodging of students in homes was not an economic one and various tax authorities in other EU member states considered this activity not as an income generating business activity but simply as a form of re-imbursement for the sharing of home facilities.

Payment received from students was not “rent” as rent implied temporary rights over a property while lodging gave no rights but simply offered sharing of facilities available to the householder. In the UK a minimum tax-free limit of Stg 4250 was fixed. Anything above this income had to be declared on the self-assessment form. The self-assessment took in consideration the market value of the property, depreciation of all furniture and facilities, cost of electricity, water, food and other running expenses. In the case of Malta taking a 3 bed roomed house as an example; Vincent Farrugia estimated that the cost per person lodged per day was in the region of Lm5.50. It was clear therefore, given the little income Host Families receive for each student lodged in the form of re-imbursement of expenses made by students, that government was making much ado about nothing.

GRTU had worked on a number of models as to how the question of any tax assessment can be tackled and that was why he was confident that the matter can be resolved. The Host Families present raised many points relating primarily to the problems faced in hosting students and all expressing how unfair it is that their efforts and sacrifices are not recognised to government. GRTU has called for Host Families to present their submissions, complaints and arguments to GRTU.

At the end of the meeting it was resolved that Host families would join GRTU at the advantageous rates offered specifically for them by the GRTU Executive. An action Committee is being chosen to represent the Host Families and GRTU was requested to proceed with the negotiations with government. GRTU will shortly be meeting Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech to present him with an alternative solution to this problem.

GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises is publishing the comments made by Vincent Farrugia on behalf of the National Executive Council of GRTU at the National Reform Programme Meeting of MCESD with the EU Commission Visiting Delegation of experts from various Directorates General, held yesterday Wednesday 20th July 2005 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises is publishing the comments made by Vincent Farrugia on behalf of the National Executive Council of GRTU at the National Reform Programme Meeting of MCESD with the EU Commission Visiting Delegation of experts from various Directorates General, held yesterday Wednesday 20th July 2005 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

GRTU Director General Vince Farrugia made a strong plea yesterday to the EU Visiting Delegation of experts working with the Maltese authorities on the National Reform Programme, to help Malta in a much stronger way then hitherto. Without this strong commitment from the EU Commission, Malta cannot become a viable economic part of the EU Internal Market.

Vince Farrugia was intervening during the encounter the EU visiting experts had with the member of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. The only item on the agenda was the Maltese National Reform Programme.

Vince Farrugia argued that, Malta, given its size and its limited resources, is not a viable economic entity under normal economic consideration.

“Successive Maltese governments have, however, through sheer ingenuity given Malta a long period of economic stability and viability with steady economic growth, growing national reserves and a full employment that gave the Maltese a reasonable standard of living and quality of life. This was achieved through a successful combination of liberal economic policies and protectionism where needed. The mixed economy in Malta worked successfully well in spite of the inefficiencies and difficulties borne. Malta produced a viable industrial sector, a viable tourism sector and viable fisheries and agriculture sector backed by an efficient banking and financial structure that sustained an internal market capable of supporting thousands of small enterprises that profitably serviced the Maltese economy. Government supported the system through a combination of subsidies and fiscal advantages as well as a direct assistance programme through the provision of factories and infrastructural publicly funded development. This was done without creating undue pressure on public finance.

Every economist of note realized, however, that Malta by the end of the millennium had reached the end of the road as the mixed economy fell under greater and greater economic strain. It was obvious that the practical alternative was the integration of the Maltese economy within the enlarged European Internal Market. The target now is that through rapid reform and innovation Malta succeeds to become a viable integral part of the single market and once again attract a flow of foreign direct investment and a revival of reformed economic enterprises operating on the internal Market.”

Vince Farrugia expresses his full faith that this can be reached in the medium and long term should Malta succeed to execute a National Reform Programme agreed to by all the social partners. “Unfortunately Malta today is passing through a very bad economic phase brought primarily on ourselves through a lack of clearly defined national economic strategy but accentuated by the burdens Maltese enterprises, large, small and micro, have to carry as a result of additional costs imposed through the adoption of the acquis communautaire over a relatively short period of 14 months. Unfortunately this steady flow of induced additional costs is being carried with very little financial and direct technical support from EU Commission and with the private sector constantly at the receiving end of all burdens. The public sector is facing serious organisational and financial difficulties and in an EU organized effort to cause the Maltese government to solve its financial deficit problems by 2007, government is effectively being forced to push enterprise’s back to the wall. The Maltese economy, given the experience of the last 14 months, is showing most clearly that it cannot survive and become a viable economic part of the single market unless it receives massive funding and technical assistance from the EU Commission to help little Malta survive the needed transitional restructuring period. If Malta is to succeed economically it cannot be made to depend on its own limited financial resources. The alternative is a very long period of economic depression and Malta cannot take such a long a period to restructure as the whole process will fail as enterprise will give up and move elsewhere. The EU Commission must support Malta in two specific ways: more financial and technical assistance given the particular problem of economic insufficiencies due to Malta being an Island State within the Union; and a more positive approach towards the imposition of rules and regulations better suited for a large economy rather than for a mini economy the size of Malta.

Asked what he expects as an immediate action of the National Reform Programme, Vince Farrugia answered that Malta should, with the assistance of EU Experts, determine what technical and technological capabilities it requires to functional as a viable entity within the EU Single Market and also measure the technical and technological capabilities that are available to the Maltese economy today, and with the participation of all social partners decide on the guide lines, policies and programmes that need to be implemented across the whole economic and productive sector to close the gap existing between today’s technological and productive capabilities of the Maltese economy and what capabilities the Maltese economy require to become a viable integral part of the EU Internal Market.

Vince Farrugia stressed that it is important that this becomes the strategy of the Reform Programme. He emphasized that it is important that GRTU’s plea for greater recognition by the EU Commission of the problems faced by Maltese enterprise to adopt successfully to the EU norms and regulations do not fall on deaf ears.

The Head of Visiting EU delegation Mr. Gert Jan Koopman, Director Enterprise and Industry Directorate General, assured Mr. Farrugia and the other members of MCESD that the EU Commission has all the funds it requires to support Malta’ National Reform Programme and that it is imperative that the Maltese do their utmost to ensure that the National Reform Programme addresses all the issues being raised and that the Maltese achieve agreement and commitment to the implementation of the National Reform Programme.

Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of SME’s – temmen li s-Sea Malta ghandha rwol importanti x’taqdi ghas-servizz tal-komunita’ kummercjali u ndustrijali. Mhux tant importanti jekk is-Sea Malta tkunx tal-gvern jew tal-privat, l-importanti li s-servizz li taghti jkun zgur, kompetittiv u efficjenti. Il-membri tal-GRTU, l-aktar il-kummercjanti u l-burdnara li jahdmu regolarment mas-Sea Malta dejjem hadmu tajjeb bis-Sea Malta u ftit kienu d-drabi meta ma nstabux soluzzjonijiet ghat-talbiet tal-imsiehba tal-GRTU.

Il-GRTU Tawgura lis-Sea Malta

Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of SME’s – temmen li s-Sea Malta ghandha rwol importanti x’taqdi ghas-servizz tal-komunita’ kummercjali u ndustrijali. Mhux tant importanti jekk is-Sea Malta tkunx tal-gvern jew tal-privat, l-importanti li s-servizz li taghti jkun zgur, kompetittiv u efficjenti. Il-membri tal-GRTU, l-aktar il-kummercjanti u l-burdnara li jahdmu regolarment mas-Sea Malta dejjem hadmu tajjeb bis-Sea Malta u ftit kienu d-drabi meta ma nstabux soluzzjonijiet ghat-talbiet tal-imsiehba tal-GRTU.

Wara l-ftehim preliminari dwar l-privatizazzjoni l-GRTU kienet ikkunsultata bil-ghan li jkun assigurat li l-privatizazzjoni tiffacilita s-servizzi rikjesti mill-kummercjanti u burdnara rapprezentati mill-GRTU. Il-process ta’ konsultazzjoni mexa tajjeb u dan jawgura tajjeb ghall-gejjini.

Is-sidien prospettivi tas-Sea Malta wkoll bdew fuq nota tajba hafna meta ghamlu kull sforz biex jaqdu l-htigijiet kollha ta’ dawk li kellmuhom u hargu skeda ta’ vjaggi li tolqot l-htigijiet kwazi ta’ kulhadd. Il-GRTU fiducjuza li din l-attitudni posittiva titkompla.

Il-GRTU tawgura li s-Sea Malta, taht it-tregija l-gdida, tkompli fit-triq tal-efficjenza fit-twettiq ta’ servizz fl-ahjar interess tal-kummerc u l-industrija. Bis-sahha tal-ftehim ezistenti li ghandu l-gvern mas-Sea Malta, u li dan ser jibqa’ jghodd ghas-sitt snin ohra, l-gvern ser jibqa’ jissussidja l-shipping lejn l-ewwel port ewlieni fl-Italja, li issa ser ikun il-port ta’ Salerno. Ir-rati ghall-kummercjanti ser jibqghu kif inhuma fuq din il-linja u fuq linji ohra s-servizz jibqa’ bhal lum ibbazat fuq il-kompetizzjoni. Wehed ghalhekk jistenna li l-Maltin jkollhom servizz li jizviluppa sewwa.

Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of SME’s – tirrikonoxxi l-importanza tat-Time Share bhala parti integrali mill-pakkett turistiku li toffri Malta u konsistentament tghat is-support taghha lill-organizazzjonijiet u l-investituri li joffru t-Time Share.

Il-GRTU u l-Bejgh tat-Time Share

Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of SME’s – tirrikonoxxi l-importanza tat-Time Share bhala parti integrali mill-pakkett turistiku li toffri Malta u konsistentament tghat is-support taghha lill-organizazzjonijiet u l-investituri li joffru t-Time Share.

Il-GRTU izda persistentament topponi l-mod goff u xejn accettabbli li xi bejjiegha tat-Time Share juzaw biex ibieghu l-progetti f’dati f’idejhom. Il-maggoranza tal-OPC’s jafu xogholhom sewwa u ma jabbuzawx izda x’uhud idejqu lin-nies u jabbuzaw. Dawn qed jghamlu hsara lill-Malta u b’mod partikulari lis-sidien tal-hwienet fiz-zoni frekwentati mit-turisti.

Il-GRTU hadet passi dwar dan u insistiet bil kbir mall-Ministri koncernati biex dawn l-abbuzi jinqatghu bla ebda preferenza ma hadd. (Mehmuza ma din l-istqarrija kopja tat-talba tal-GRTU :

“Another summer and again we have another sorry state caused by many time-share vendors as many streets in tourist areas witness daily time-share vendor’s disgrace themselves through highly unacceptable behavior. I mention specifically streets in Bugibba and Qawra, but not exclusively as reports reach us also from other tourists localities.

In the areas near the Qawra/Bugibba Bus Terminus and on the Front groups of time-share vendors aggregate and literally chase and block tourists from entering retail outlets. The situation is worse in relation to certain retail outlets as these vendors are not only scaring tourists away from these commercial outlets but most daringly speak negatively and issue false statements against shop owners who cause these vendors to move from the vicinity of their shops.

GRTU is aware that the Ministry is introducing new badges and new allocations for time-share vendors. But this is not enough. Unless the Ministry’s enforcement section and Malta Tourism Authority ensure more discipline and issue regulations that prohibit vendors from grouping in numbers of more than two and preclude them from loitering in front of licenced commercial premises the irresponsible vendors will continue to act unhindered. The rules should also prohibit these people from selling from a fixed point in proximity of licenced commercial premises within a distance of 20 meters.

GRTU urges you to take immediate action without waiting for the ripple negative impact of another whole summer. GRTU is informing its members of this request and encourage them to provide GRTU with more details in preparation for a national campaign of protest should time share operators refuse to abide by more stringent and decent rules that respect other entrepreneurs whose livelihood also depends on tourism.

Il-GRTU illum ghalhekk tifrah lil Ministru tat-Turizmu li ha inizjattiva decisiva biex min qed jabbuza jitwarrab.

Court orders refund for firm not in VAT scheme
A Constitutional Court yesterday ruled that the fundamental human rights of a company had been breached when it paid tax and interest owed for 1995 without benefiting from the tax reduction scheme introduced, some time after, during the Budget for 2002.

Court orders refund for firm not in VAT scheme
A Constitutional Court yesterday ruled that the fundamental human rights of a company had been breached when it paid tax and interest owed for 1995 without benefiting from the tax reduction scheme introduced, some time after, during the Budget for 2002.

In a landmark judgment, Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco ordered the VAT Commissioner to include Woodline Limited in the tax reduction scheme and refund the difference between the amount that the company paid in penalties and interest for VAT owed in 1995 and that which it was to pay under the scheme.

Woodline Limited had filed an application, in the First Hall of the Civil Court in its Constitutional Jurisdiction, in which it explained that the company owed Lm53,871 in VAT, Lm28,726 in additional tax and penalties and Lm5,322 in accumulated interest.

Woodline had undergone the procedures necessary according to law and, while the procedures were still pending, the company received a formal letter.

The letter informed the company to pay the tax and interest due and that, if it failed to pay, necessary warrants would be issued and criminal action taken. Due to this pressure the company paid Lm87,920.

Subsequently, Woodline added, the VAT Commissioner issued a scheme for the reduction of additional tax and informed all those who had not paid that they would benefit from a 90 per cent reduction on penalties on VAT owed for 1995, which was the year for which Woodline had paid.

Moreover, according to the scheme, the interest rate was to be reduced to the minimum amount.

This, the company argued, was in breach of the European Convention for Human Rights as it constituted a discrimination based on two types of people: those who abided by the law and paid VAT and money owed, and those who did not abide by the law but then benefited from a reduction and ended up paying less than owed.

Due to the VAT Commissioner’s actions the company claimed it suffered discrimination as it entered financial difficulties to pay all that it owed when those who did not pay benefited from an amnesty that translated into thousands of pounds.

Woodline called on the court to declare that its fundamental human rights had been breached in terms of the European Convention and to provide it with a remedy.

Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco also heard the VAT Commissioner argue that Woodline did not suffer any prejudice. Just because the scheme was introduced, through which those who satisfied certain criteria were given a penalty reduction, it did not mean that those who paid tax had been discriminated against.

The commissioner added that any amnesty scheme involved people being exempt from their obligations.

The authorities applied an amnesty from time to time so that, from the practical angle, public administration was made easier by avoiding procedure that may turn out to be useless. There was nothing discriminatory in resorting to an amnesty to carry out a general clean-up, the commissioner argued among other things.

On evaluating the submissions made by Woodline and by the VAT Commissioner and after examining relevant case law, Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco ruled that through his actions the VAT Commissioner had breached the company’s fundamental human rights.

The judge provided Woodline with a remedy by ordering that it be included in the tax reduction scheme and that the difference in money paid and due be refunded.

Dr Edward Zammit Lewis, Dr José Herrera and Dr Adrian Camilleri appeared for Woodline, while Dr Carmelo Grima appeared for the VAT Commissioner

Il-Ligi li qed jghaddi l-Parlament biex isahhah il-gbir tal-VAT:
· Il-GRTU u l-gbir ta’ Ammonti dovuti ta’ VAT
Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of SME’s – tistqarr pubblikament li l-oggezzjoni taghha f’isem l-maggoranza assoluta tas-sidien tan-negozji Maltin ghall-emendi fil-Ligi tal-VAT li gew imressqa fil-Parlament m’ghandha x’taqsam xejn ma l-isforzi li qed isiru mill-gvern biex tibgabar il-VAT, li f’xi kazi hi ta’ mijiet ta’ eluf ta’ liri u li tolqot lil numru zghir ta’ stabbilimenti kbar, l-aktar dawk li illum huma f’diffikultajiet finanzjarji kbar jekk mhux wkoll f’falliment. Il-GRTU ma tirraprezentax lil min ghandu jghati l-mijiet ta’ eluf ta’ liri f’VAT, izda lil eluf ta’ negozji li jkollhom hlasijiet ta’ qies ragonevoli.

· Il-Ligi li qed jghaddi l-Parlament biex isahhah il-gbir tal-VAT:
· Il-GRTU u l-gbir ta’ Ammonti dovuti ta’ VAT
Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of SME’s – tistqarr pubblikament li l-oggezzjoni taghha f’isem l-maggoranza assoluta tas-sidien tan-negozji Maltin ghall-emendi fil-Ligi tal-VAT li gew imressqa fil-Parlament m’ghandha x’taqsam xejn ma l-isforzi li qed isiru mill-gvern biex tibgabar il-VAT, li f’xi kazi hi ta’ mijiet ta’ eluf ta’ liri u li tolqot lil numru zghir ta’ stabbilimenti kbar, l-aktar dawk li illum huma f’diffikultajiet finanzjarji kbar jekk mhux wkoll f’falliment. Il-GRTU ma tirraprezentax lil min ghandu jghati l-mijiet ta’ eluf ta’ liri f’VAT, izda lil eluf ta’ negozji li jkollhom hlasijiet ta’ qies ragonevoli.

Il-GRTU dejjem issostni li l-flus tal-VAT m’humiex flus tal-intraprizi izda huma flus tal-awtoritajiet tat-taxxa u l-GRTU ma toggezzjonax ghall-providenti apposta biex la tal-Banek u lanqas hadd ma jabbuza u jahtaf flus li m’ghandux dritt fuqhom bl-iskuza ta’ xi privilegg specjali.

Il-GRTU izda toggezjona bil-kbir kull meta li l-awtoritajiet tat-taxxa jiehdu mizuri u jemmendaw il-ligijiet li isallbu lil kulhadd biex isolvu problemi partikulari li jaffacjaw huma, hafna drabi ikkawzati minnhom stess ghax ihallu hlasijiet ta’ kwantitajiet kbar ta’ flus dovuti jaqghu lura anke meta ikunu jafu li hemm il-gwaj finanzjarju,

Il-GRTU sodisfatta li l-livell ta’ compliance ta’ VAT f’Malta hu l-ghola fid-dinja u li l-livell ta’ gbir ta’ VAT hi l-ghola fost l-pajjizi tal-Unjoni Ewropej. Dan meta bi 18% Malta ghandha wahda mill-ghola rati ta’ VAT fl-Ewropa.

Imma il-GRTU toggezjona u topponi bil-kbir li wara dan kollu issa l-gvern jaqbes il-linja qiesu li s-sid tan-negozju ma jeziztiex u ma jaghti kaz ta’ xejn s-sagrificcji kbar li qed jghamlu s-sidien tan-negozji biex lil gvern jigbrulu bil-fors u bla ebda kumpens il-miljuni kbar f’PAYE, kontribuzzjonijiet socjali, eco-tax u fuq kollox VAT. l-GRTU issostni li mhux sewwa li ghax xi Bank jew xi intraprizi kbar jithallew jabbuzaw jehlu wkoll l-eluf ta’ intraprizi zghar mifruxa ma Malta kollha.

Wara l-izball li sar din d-darba bil-mod li tresqet din l-emenda issa l-GRTU qeghda tistenna l-Ministeru tal-Finanzi jerga jwaqqaf il-Kumitat ta’ Konsultazzjoni biex emendi u caqlieq iehor fis-sistema tat-taxxa li jolqtu l-intraprizi ikunu l-ewwel diskussi f’dan il-Kumitat Konsultattiv u mhux mehuda mill-ewwel fil-Parlament jew imposti b’Avviz Legali bla konsultazzjoni.

Is-sidien tan-negozji u l-intraprizi Maltin ma jistennewx grazzi m’ghand hadd, izda aktar imbiex u pizijiet lanqas.