Dear Sir,

The headline “Land tax break for spouses” raises more questions than answers. I am sure your reporter quoted the minister correctly. It is my understanding that anyone over the age of 65 years may apply for relief of land tax on their principal residence. The article does make sense should the spouse be under 65 years old.

The minister continues the myth espoused by many government MPs “that while seniors in Bermuda were granted exemption from land tax after reaching the age of 65”.

This is not true. I have been paying land tax on my primary residence for the past 27 years!

Yes, I have had a reduction — for which I am grateful — but it is not an exemption!

Maybe the Government and its members need to check on what exemption means. The Oxford English dictionary states: “exempt — freed (from taxation, liability, risk, duty, control, failings, etc); not subject to risk etc”.

Maybe no one understands the niceties of the English language and they meant to use the word “reduction”.

If seniors are given an exemption, I will be writing to the land tax commissioner requesting a refund on the tax paid and would urge all seniors to do the same.

ANTONY SIESE

Paget