A bill to give seniors land tax breaks on homes with an annual rental value of more than $90,000 was passed by MPs last night.

Finance Minister Eugene Cox said 86 people would be affected by the Act which will come into operation on July 1.

He said the Bill would help those who were property rich and cash poor and found themselves with an empty nest after their children had left.

But Opposition Leader Dr. Grant Gibbons slammed the Bill for only helping the well off but doing nothing for the 714 who paid tax on homes below the $90,000 threshold.

He said: "Eighty-six people have some benefit from this amendment, it's the other 714 we are speaking to. That's almost 90 percent who got absolutely no benefit from this legislation."

Dr. Gibbons called for the $40,000 concession for the bottom end home owners to be raised to $50,000.

He said Government had increased land tax revenue by $10 million in its three years in power and was now having to introduce damage reduction bills.

Dr. Gibbons said: "That's about a 40 percent increase in land tax. This is the third attempt to get it right for seniors. We are not convinced they have got it right this time."

The bill will only apply to homes seniors actually live in - second properties won't be protected under the bill.

Government backbencher Walter Lister said the PLP had been left with a problem when it came to power because the UBP had failed to increase land tax because there was an election coming.

And Mr. Cox said that 75 percent of seniors did not pay tax. He said the 86 people affected by the bill would have substantial savings.

Opposition Home Affairs spokeswoman Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said the Finance Minister should consider zero tax on primary residences for seniors.

Mr. Cox said few seniors had outstanding tax debt and there was social assistance help if they did get into trouble.

Those with homes worth more than $90,000 will get 80 percent breaks on the value over $90,000 and they will enjoy the same $40,000 breaks on the first $90,000.