PM Skerrit invites people to send their views regarding 2021-22 budget

Roseau, Dominica: Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit invited the general public to present their views on the Fiscal Budget 2021-2022. The PM presented a budget of $993.6M in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.Prime Minister Skerrit said that he wants to hear the sentiments and views of people. He said he wants people to tell him what they liked about the budget or what they think was missing from the Fiscal Budget 2021-2022."I think this is an important part of the democracy, and we will take note of all the suggestions that will come from the public; I honestly love to hear what people think about the 2021-2022 budget." stated the Prime Minister in a video posted on his Facebook account. The budget was presented under the theme, "Building on our past, solidifying our present, securing our future."The government of Dominica have proposed several reductions in taxes and duties, including:

1. Exemption of VAT on hatching eggs with effect from August 1, 2021
2. Exemption of Income Tax on residential rent income from the income year 2021
3. Students or their parents can claim all of the interest paid on their student loans each year from January 2022 to coincide with the income year
4. Maximum Tax Deduction of $8,000 on premiums paid to insure homes from the income year 2022
5. Government offers an Income Tax deduction on individual or family health insurance premiums, effective from the income year 2022

Besides this, new announcements to create a better living standard for the Kalinago people were also made by the Prime Minister. The government declared direct funding to construct 50 resilient homes for the people. PM said that a total of $10.3M would be invested in the project, while $4.6M will be disbursed during this fiscal year. PM said that the government intends to further capitalise on the Fund and then allow it to operate as a revolving fund.