Speaker Recalls MPs From Break For The 3rd Time To Consider Tax Waivers

Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Mike Ocquaye has recalled MPs to work for the third time on to consider tax waivers on donations to the Covid-19 fund set up by the government.

A release from the Public Affairs Department of Parliament said the MPs are to return on Thursday, April 30 to attend to a number of businesses.

“The sitting, will among other things, consider waiving Value Added Tax (VAT) on donations of stock of equipment and goods for fighting the Covid-19 pandemic,” a statement from the House’s public affairs unit said.

The Legislators will consider “permitting the deduction of contributions and donations towards Covid-19 as an allowable expense for tax purposes,” and look at “extending the due date for filing of taxes from four months to six months after the end of the basis year.”

According to the statement, the need to extend the due date for filing taxes from four months to six months has become necessary because of the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This recall is the third since the Speaker of Parliament, on 4^th April, decided to direct a suspension of sitting rather than recess due to Coronavirus. The suspension puts the MPs on standby for recall at anytime, whereas recess would have meant that MPs could holiday.

It would be recalled that after the Speaker had made the decision, the Minority had threatened to sue him over it saying he had no such right to put MPs on standby.

However, after the huff and puff, the Minority MPs have gone to court as vowed and have since returning to the House twice already on April 7^th and 15^th at the behest of the Speaker.

The 30^th April return would be the third by the MPs.