I will like the tax collectors to go after Carnival bands owners, fete promoters, calypsonians, soca bands and artistes, hotels and guesthouses, subcontractors like food suppliers and music providers etc, to ensure that T&T collects whatever tax it legally can.
I am not sure if the above pay tax but if they fall into this category, we need the money from them.
We often here that "the country benefits from Carnival," and some people or companies do benefit personally.
But how does the government get money from this festival?
The Government annually spends millions and probably billions when everything is added up, but what does it get in return? The Government must indicate what its Return on Investment (ROI) is on Carnival expenditures. Or, is it another public service being provided to a segment of the population? In our national accounts, is Carnival an expense item or an income item? If both, how have they matched over the years? Get the point?
To date, the country has not seen any real benefit and development from Carnival from its inception scores of years ago. Yes, particular people and organisations have personally benefitted–like the large Carnival bands, star entertainers and fete promoters.
Can we really say that Carnival in 2010, for example, brought in x number of dollars to the State? No. It provided people or private organisations with income, not the government.
We should really rethink the economics of Carnival! And, importantly, do the same for the burgeoning chutney organisations and artistes!
Desmond Affarili