Do you feel taxes are fair in your country?
Tax is very important to a country. Without tax, the government cannot carry out the tasks it needs to perform for the welfare of the citizen. Since a government cannot generate their own funds, they impose tax to the citizen of the country and as compensation the government ensures the security, progress, comfort and convenience of the people.
There are many types of taxes being imposed in the Philippines but the most common are: income tax and the value - added tax.
Income tax is the tax being deducted from your monthly salary. A fix percent is deducted every month that goes to the government.
Value - added tax is the tax imposed on commodities and goods that we buy. Everytime we buy from a store, 12% of it goes to tax. For example, you buy a 50 pesos worth of product, 6 pesos goes to the government. So, even if you are not employed, you are already contributing to the progress of the nation.
The purpose why tax is imposed so that the government can carry out its duties and functions to the citizens. Sad to say, the Philippine Government fails to carry out its functions to the Filipinos. Because of this, I can say that we are UNFAIRLY taxed. Let me tell you why.
We pay tax for our security. The more the people pay taxes, then the more security personnel should be hired, like policemen and the military. However, the ratio of 1 policeman to 250 people in year 2000 now becomes 1 policeman is to 500+ people. Now, I can say our security is at risk here.
We also pay tax for our comfort. The more the people pay taxes, then the nicer our roads should be and the more bridges, hospitals, schools and other infrastructures should be built. However, it is not met. If a bridge that connects 2 barangays collapse, it needs months for it to be repaired. Many people dies in the hospitals because the hospital cannot serve all the patients. Our quality of education worsened because we lack classrooms and teachers.
We pay tax for our convenience. The more the people pay taxes, then the more government employees should be hired. But, when we go to a government agency, we are required to fall in line because there are not enough tellers.
The reason why this happens is because of Corruption. The money that the people in service stole is larger than the amount that actually goes to the treasury. So, how can these tasks be carried out? If only those in power becomes sensitive to the agony of the taxpayers, then our sufferings would have been long gone. The taxpayers are left to wonder when this sufferings would end.
If only those elected wishes only to serve, then we would have been a progressive nation.
