WITH TERRITORY’S BONDS AT JUNK STATUS, MAPP ADMINISTRATION SEEKS $430 MILLION IN NEW DEBT

Texas does not require Internet sellers to collect the USE tax. It's self-reporting by tax payer. If Texas can't figure out how to collect, I'm pretty sure VI won't pioneer a workable option.

It's supposed to work the same way in NC, voluntary reporting on the state income tax form. And if you don't happen to keep track of all your internet purchases made in the past year they give you a table you can use to estimate your use tax.;) Don't know how successful that is. NC has managed to get Amazon to collect sales tax for items sold directly by Amazon into NC. I think that's because Amazon has distribution centers in NC, i.e. physical presence.

What I really like is this double talk

“In fact, the proposed revenue initiatives have been structured to add to the territory’s tax base by specifically targeting products consumed by the population of transient consumers who briefly enter and leave the territory.”

"Mr. Collens also said the administration would implement an internet gross receipt tax, which is a tax on items for those shopping online."

"There would be a review of millage rates (the amount per $1,000 that is used to calculate taxes on property) on real property tax and tax credits."

Yeah, we have a lot of tourists ordering off the Internet and buying property.:X Maybe online pizza delivery to the hotels.

Let's stimulate the economy by adding a bunch of new taxes, especially on the tourist suckers who already have enough reasons to go elsewhere.

We can raise the hotel tax, let's see haven't done that since January, yeah, that's the ticket.

Sales taxes and Texas' USE tax are totally different, but what Collens is proposing is similar to Texas' use tax.

The postal service rarely collects duty. I should have a package coming soon with $10 worth of goods coming from China. It's not worth it for them to process it through Customs.

How can VI government determine that you made purchase over Internet? People order by phone, too.

Better they go after cash businesses.

Texas does not require Internet sellers to collect the USE tax. It's self-reporting by tax payer. If Texas can't figure out how to collect, I'm pretty sure VI won't pioneer a workable option.

It's supposed to work the same way in NC, voluntary reporting on the state income tax form. And if you don't happen to keep track of all your internet purchases made in the past year they give you a table you can use to estimate your use tax.;) Don't know how successful that is. NC has managed to get Amazon to collect sales tax for items sold directly by Amazon into NC. I think that's because Amazon has distribution centers in NC, i.e. physical presence.

What I really like is this double talk

“In fact, the proposed revenue initiatives have been structured to add to the territory’s tax base by specifically targeting products consumed by the population of transient consumers who briefly enter and leave the territory.”

"Mr. Collens also said the administration would implement an internet gross receipt tax, which is a tax on items for those shopping online."

"There would be a review of millage rates (the amount per $1,000 that is used to calculate taxes on property) on real property tax and tax credits."

Yeah, we have a lot of tourists ordering off the Internet and buying property.:X Maybe online pizza delivery to the hotels.

Let's stimulate the economy by adding a bunch of new taxes, especially on the tourist suckers who already have enough reasons to go elsewhere.

We can raise the hotel tax, let's see haven't done that since January, yeah, that's the ticket.

We have a spending problem *gasp* in the Virgin Islands, and although lowering taxes does not "stimulate the economy", raising taxes to deal with an out of control spendathon does not either stimulate the economy or fix the problem. Ill let someone else worry about all this some time later. My paychecks are still clearing.

"They ultimately approved $246 MILLION DOLLARS in New Borrowing."
http://stthomassource.com/content/news/local-news/2016/09/23/government-unveils-five-year-deficit-plan

Wonder what tax will be increased or implemented? My plan for today is to watch the testimony to see how senators responded. That may determine who I vote for. None of the media outlets give enough info.

Wonder what tax will be increased or implemented? My plan for today is to watch the testimony to see how senators responded. That may determine who I vote for. None of the media outlets give enough info.

The previous article mentioned a 'sin tax'. Somehow they think that tourists buy more liquor, tobacco and 'sweets' than the residents do and the residents won't notice the increase.

But that is their way, tax or increase the fees. And borrow. Always borrow.

The Constitution defines impeachment at the federal level and limits impeachment to "The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States" who may be impeached and removed only for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors

How does one initiate in a Territory???

Just shows how out of touch they are. I heard that people are rejecting the centennial license plate by buying other plates. So projected centennial commemoration funds are probably down because the plate sales are down so how does that effect the commemoration? Whatever funds they raise should determine the budget. Unfortunately nobody has set that limit.

We don't have enough voters with a stake in local elections. From my limited survey many people here maintain their voter registration in the states and vote there instead of here. I'm finding that many people move physically but not emotionally. They retain the ties to their previous residence.

Since I live here and pay taxes, I want to have a voice so I try to get to know the candidates and make informed decisions. When I see candidates I ask questions.

There is one issue I've been fighting for maybe 20 years, but if you look at issues in other jurisdictions, even people with wealth and influence have problems getting their concerns approved. Change doesn't come easy or quickly but that doesn't give license to give up the attempt to implement change.

Change doesn't come easy or quickly but that doesn't give license to give up the attempt to implement change.

So how many decades is appropriate to wait before one gives up?

Change doesn't come easy or quickly but that doesn't give license to give up the attempt to implement change.

So how many decades is appropriate to wait before one gives up?

Ha, ha! That's up to the individual. As long as I'm here I figure I'd fight for this issue. I have nothing to lose and more to gain by persisting.

You have to pick your battles and I picked mine long ago. I may pick a few more but not sacrificing original battle.

"Senators had two options, he said, either issue bonds to meet the budget shortfall or cut government spending. They went with the former."

http://viconsortium.com/government-2/senate-president-james-comments-passage-2017-budget-bill/

"Senators had two options, he said, either issue bonds to meet the budget shortfall or cut government spending. They went with the former."

Guess it never occurred to them that maybe they could do a little of both.

I hate to say it, because A) I know it's a sacred cow, and B) the government would probably manage to fritter it away anyway, but real estate taxes here are laughingly low. Even a minor increase would help soften the blow.

They could ease the hardship by adding various discounts, such as early payment and homestead, and could also add low income/rental rebates.

There are homestead and veteran's exemptions.
A couple others as well. Elderly, I think may be another.
Can't remember all.
It used to be that if you qualified, you could get all the different exemptions.
Now they only you allow one that you choose and you must apply for it to be processed for the following year. They don't automatically give it to you.

Early payment discounts were stopped this year since they are now up to date on issuing the property tax bills.