Mayor’s progressive Income Tax unacceptable as alternative to rates.

Auckland should initiate a commission to review the rating system.

Auckland mayor Len Brown’s proposal to replace council rates with income tax will be unacceptable to ratepayers who will see it as a further step in the redistribution of wealth, and would be open to widespread avoidance,

It is also inappropriate to single out the elderly sector of the population as the main reason for the introduction of such a tax, there are plenty of others who suffer from high rates.

There are many groups in our community who are disadvantaged by the current rating system, either because they find rates unaffordable, or they resent paying for services they neither need nor want.

Representing one third of the nation’s ratepayers, the Auckland Council is perfectly placed to lead a funding review commission which would be tasked with finding alternatives to rates which are based on ‘ability to pay’ and ‘services received’.

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