WILLEMSTAD - Minister of Finance, Javier Silvania, wants to lower the profit tax on Curaçao from 22 percent to fifteen percent. The minister stated this in parliament yesterday.
The idea is based on a similar desire to lower corporate income tax in the e-zone. That was two percent but has now been increased to 22 percent.
The minister is afraid that foreign companies and investors will stay away now that the tax on profits has gone up so much. The e-zone would be doomed, says Silvania.
Parliament was told Silvania's plans without any calculation. Both the opposition and the coalition, which apparently had not been fully informed, asked about the financing of this plan and its budgetary implications.
Parliament also has additional wishes when it comes to tax reduction. Giselle McWilliam of the MAN prefers the government to look at the cost of living and not just the cost of doing business. According to her, an adjustment of the wage tax and property tax would be more valuable.
Silvania will answer Parliament's questions on April 24.