Open a window to a simple form of tax

IN view of the complications arising from current property taxes it may be appropriate to consider one of the earliest forms of tax which was current in the 18th century.

I refer to the window tax. This tax is simple, objective, cheap to administer and can be implemented immediately.

The tax could be administered by the local authority who check returns, query anomalies and where necessary check properties.

This tax would remove the need for subjective and expensive valuations, bridge the city and rural divide, and be inclusive of all properties including farm houses.

As the next Finance Minister might say “I commend this project to the house”.

Arthur Hopkinson

Borris

Co Carlow