A SODELPA Govt will collect record revenue by getting rid of ill thought out tax proposals - Gavoka

SODELPA has the will to collect record revenue as allowed by law and meet the cry of the people according to their Leader, Viliame Gavoka.

While opposing the 2022/2023 National Budget, Gavoka says the challenge is more pronounced for them as politicians and parliamentarians as their calling is on a national scale and the party is charged to make things better for all Fijians.

He says they know of a woman who could no longer afford dialysis and passed away.

The SODELPA Leader says they know of a young woman in Labasa educated through TELS who could not find employment, was unable to repay the loan and is now selling her body.

While announcing the party’s plans, Gavoka says a SODELPA government will have a single rate of VAT at 10 percent for normal supplies of goods and services and 0 percent rate for exported goods and basic items which will be in the second schedule of the VAT Act.

He says there are currently three VAT rates which bring about inconsistencies and difficulties in application and policing.

Gavoka says a SODELPA government will also bring back the dividend withholding tax for non residents and residents of Fiji.

He says the dividend withholding tax used to apply at 9 percent for non residents and 3 percent to residents of Fiji and this was repealed in 2017 following which the government lost millions of dollars.

Gavoka says when Fijians are crying out for help, we cannot be foregoing this revenue to please certain people.

He says they will also bring back the bronze profit tax which was introduced in 2008 at rate of 15 percent and government used to collect $70 to 80 million annually.

The SODELPA Leader says it is strange that this tax was repealed in 2015.

He adds they will also take back corporate tax to 28 percent for resident companies and 33 percent for non resident companies. He says they will also increase corporate tax to 28 percent for all companies listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange. Gavoka says this will create a level playing field.

They will also increase capital gains tax to 28 percent if the party forms the next government.

Gavoka also told the parliament that a SODELPA government will re-introduce the Stamp Duty Act.

Click here for full coverage on the 2022/2023 National Budget Debate.