Our Community
To tax or not to tax
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On whether a GST could ease the government¡¦s financial strain on coping with social and economic problems such as an aging population and the increasing demand on medical welfare and other services, Professor Lui has doubts about the effectiveness. He questioned if the government would introduce another new kind of tax when it could not have a fiscal balance in the future.
Even some youths are sceptical of the proposed tax policy in bringing many benefits to society. ¡§A GST may widen the gap between the poor and the rich,¡¨ said Mok Chi, an 18-year-old secondary school student from HSCC. ¡§Of course, it (the tax) will not be a big deal to the wealthy people. But it will be a serious matter to low-income families.¡¨
Vivian Cheng Wing-lam, a student from the Chinese University , suggested the rich to pay more tax instead. ¡§Maybe the government can collect tax from them when they are buying cars. Those people who can even afford to pay $1.4 million for a car licence plate should contribute more,¡¨ she said.
Despite the debate, an economics
professor considers the GST issue can bring a message to young people that they are part of the city and they have to be responsible for paying tax. Chong Tai-leung of the Chinese University said: ¡§They will feel they have the responsibility towards the society, and this enhances their sense of belonging in the community.¡¨
