Super Value\u2019s owner has slammed the proposed sanctions regime for delinquent Value-Added Tax (VAT) payers as \u201cvery distasteful\u201d, fearing just one mistake by staff could result in his jailing or loss of passport.<\/p>\n
Rupert Roberts told Tribune Business that the Government \u201cshould never have been allowed\u201d to propose travel restrictions for the owners of companies behind on their VAT payments, describing this as \u201cvery wrong\u201d.<\/p>\n
Suggesting that companies, and their proprietors, were exposed to punishment even for \u2018honest mistakes\u2019, Mr Roberts said just the administrative\/compliance costs associated with VAT alone would increase living costs by 5 per cent.<\/p>\n
He added that Super Value would \u201creally have to crank up some additional costs\u201d to meet the proposed \u201921 days after month\u2019s end\u2019 deadline for filing, and paying, VAT returns to the Government.<\/p>\n
Implying that it would be impossible for the 10\u2013store chain, and his three Quality Supermarkets outlets, to meet that timeframe since it often took 30 days to compile accurate monthly sales figures, Mr Roberts contrasted the demands on the private sector with the 60-days the Government is allowing itself to provide VAT refunds.<\/p>\n
The Super Value owner warned that consumers \u201cwill revolt\u201d over cost of living increases if the Government went through with its VAT plans, adding that he felt the planned July 1, 2014, implementation date cannot be met.<\/p>\n
Reiterating that there were \u201cmany, many alternatives\u201d to VAT, Mr Roberts said he remained optimistic that dialogue between the Government and the private sector would ultimately lead to a different revenue option being selected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole private sector is against VAT. The country doesn\u2019t want VAT; nobody wants VAT,\u201d Mr Roberts told Tribune Business. \u201cI haven\u2019t come across anybody yet that wants VAT, or would be satisfied with the implementation of VAT.<\/p>\n