Government planning to tax churches, charities?

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Observer - ELIMINATING discretionary waivers altogether could return $4 billion in revenue to the Government. But the tax breaks, which are approved after applications are considered by the finance ministry, mostly go to charitable organisations, while public sector bodies and government contracts take up a significant portion of the rest. What's more, with a targeted primary surplus of 7.5 per cent of GDP, or approximately $100 billion next fiscal year, the possible savings hardly dent a $20 billion to $40 billion shortfall.