Gerinako Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-26271694 The so-called Isle of Man "toilet tax" has been approved, despite a 6,000 signature petition opposing the £50 charge (Rising to £300 in a few years....) Manx politicians voted 24-9 in favour of its introduction following nearly two hours of debate in Tynwald on Wednesday. Chris Thomas MHK, who voted against the move, said it was "wrong and unfair". From 1 April, all Isle of Man households on mains sewerage will have to pay the annual £50 fee. The Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority also said the charge would rise to £100 next year. It claims the levy is needed following a "reduction in its revenue grant". Chairman John Houghton MHK said there was "no alternative" to the charge. Spokeswoman for the petition, Amy Burns, said: "If half the population had signed the petition, it would have gone through anyway. "It seems the public's voice doesn't matter." The Isle of Man's Chief Minister Allan Bell said "cuts have to be made". A petition containing 6,314 signatures - 11% of the electorate - was presented to politicians ahead of the announcement of the Isle of Man budget on Tuesday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Hovis Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Sounds fair enough. I'd rather pay £300 than have a septic tank (that's not rhyming slang btw). Private sewer systems cost about that in service charges IIRC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerinako Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) Thing is the Water Rates that already exist and pay for this historically are being added to by this tax across the board. It doesn't take into account size of residence and number in the domicile. So the guy living on his own in a 1 bed apartment, will be paying the same as a hotel with 50 rooms. Edited February 28, 2014 by Gerinako Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@contradevian Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 So the guy living on his own in a 1 bed apartment, will be paying the same as a hotel with 50 rooms. Dirty Protest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
interestrateripoff Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Sounds like a crap tax to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybong Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Chairman John Houghton MHK said there was "no alternative" to the charge. It would have been helpful if he'd clarified that seemingly glib statement and detailed that statement's justification. Has there been any research looking into alternatives (such as cost cutting etc), what alternatives were looked into and whether there's actually an official report on the matter - rather than just looking for things to put taxes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinE Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Money down the drain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Masked Tulip Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 This is an interesting economic indicator is it not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Thing is the Water Rates that already exist and pay for this historically are being added to by this tax across the board. It doesn't take into account size of residence and number in the domicile. So the guy living on his own in a 1 bed apartment, will be paying the same as a hotel with 50 rooms. Depends if they're en suite. It is absurd. Alternatives They could raise income tax by a penny and the top rate would be 21%................. They could raise capital gains tax to 1%? IHT to 1%? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerinako Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 Or just put the rates up in each Parish so it effects each person fairly across the board relative to wealth/size of business/property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South Lorne Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 ..beware the fly tipping as people seek alternatives....what a load of -rap...!... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byron Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 It would have been helpful if he'd clarified that seemingly glib statement and detailed that statement's justification. Has there been any research looking into alternatives (such as cost cutting etc), what alternatives were looked into and whether there's actually an official report on the matter - rather than just looking for things to put taxes on. Washington memorial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BalancedBear Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Depends if they're en suite. It is absurd. Alternatives They could raise income tax by a penny and the top rate would be 21%................. They could raise capital gains tax to 1%? IHT to 1%? Or they could cut their costs a bit? Or charge a bit more for water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybong Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 (edited) Washington memorial From wiki: Design Progress towards a memorial finally began in 1832. That year, which marked the 100th anniversary of Washington's birth, a large group of concerned citizens formed the Washington National Monument Society. In 1836, after they had raised $28,000 in donations ($15,200,000 in 2011[16]), they announced a competition for the design of the memorial.[17] On September 23, 1835, the board of managers of the society described their expectations:[18] It is proposed that the contemplated monument shall be like him in whose honor it is to be constructed, unparalleled in the world, and commensurate with the gratitude, liberality, and patriotism of the people by whom it is to be erected ... [it] should blend stupendousness with elegance, and be of such magnitude and beauty as to be an object of pride to the American people, and of admiration to all who see it. Its material is intended to be wholly American, and to be of marble and granite brought from each state, that each state may participate in the glory of contributing material as well as in funds to its construction At first your comment seemed a bit meaningless but no, thank you - that's extremely flattering and I'm glad you agree that it's not acceptable for the Chairman to just make the bald statement saying there was "no alternative" to the charge. Edited March 1, 2014 by billybong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1929crash Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 The stool tax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinker Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 What is interesting is that the population has gone from 60,000 in the 1980s to 85,000 now, with finance and e-gaming driving the economy, I have been shocked at the decimation of tourism in that time (changes in holiday habits). Much of Douglas prom has its hotels converted to apartments. TT weeks, they make up the shortfall by encouraging residents to take in bikers. Beautiful place. Lots of building going on (flats) - expensive - but you do wonder what will happen if these big sectors crumble. Couldn't believe the amount of foreigners working their either. Personally I missed a trick by not moving over years ago. With the increased population, you would think there would be more tax income? Though bigger population brings other pressures on resources. MHKs will be scratching around for other ways to bring in revenue, like the 'toilet tax.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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