The Treasury and Resources Minister has committed to introducing independent taxation in Jersey.
The Treasury and Resources Minister has committed to introducing independent taxation in Jersey.
This means taxing people as individuals, regardless of their marital status. This is a move towards treating taxpayers equally and away from tax policy being used to encourage or discourage lifestyle choices.
A feasibility review has been prepared by the Treasury and published alongside the draft 2014 Budget. Independent taxation is an important step towards modernising the Jersey system of taxation. Some remaining complexities within the current tax system mean that a phased approach to this change is required so that there are no effects on tax payers.
Treasury and Resources Minister Senator Philip Ozouf said: "It is a widely accepted principle that tax policy should not be used to encourage or discourage lifestyle choices; individuals or couples, whether married or cohabiting, should be treated equally. Moving towards independent taxation is an important step forward that will ultimately create a fairer and more efficient tax system for Islanders."