After more than 50 years of Castro, Cubans to begin paying taxes
The government’s free market reforms introduced over the last two years, are designed to encourage small businesses, private farming and individual initiative, along with plans to pay state workers more. Under the new tax code the state hopes to get its share of the proceeds.
The government also envisions replacing subsidies for all with targeted welfare, meaning that the largely tax-free life under a paternalistic government is on its way out.
“This radically changes the state’s relationship with the population and taxes become an irritating issue,” said Domingo Amuchastegui, a former Cuban intelligence analyst who lives in Miami and writes often about Cuba.
The new code covers 19 taxes, including such things as inheritance, environment, sales, transportation and farm land, various license fees and three contributions, including social security.
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Proving Karl Marx wrong once again.
Flange on November 28, 2012 at 2:23 PM
After 50 years of Utopia, seems only fair.
I bet they go after those filthy rich who own, you know, a bike or spend lavishly on indoor plumbing.
WisRich on November 28, 2012 at 2:26 PM
Someone needs to fund Chavez’ healthcare bills.
Schadenfreude on November 28, 2012 at 2:28 PM
It will be different this time…….just wait and see.
antipc on November 28, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Utopia is around the corner.
tom daschle concerned on November 28, 2012 at 2:30 PM
Castro and Obama are calling for tax increases. Not surprising that the two North American socialists would be.
amazingmets on November 28, 2012 at 2:31 PM
The headline is kinda deceptive. If you read the story you find out businesses had been paying 100% taxes all along. Yes, that’s right… 100%.
Axion on November 28, 2012 at 2:34 PM
My bad, I keep forgetting that.
Flange on November 28, 2012 at 2:35 PM
Someone left the irony on again…
Seven Percent Solution on November 28, 2012 at 2:36 PM
Heading down the road to China — state-run pseudo-capitalism with none of that messy democracy or human rights crap to worry about. Tom Friedman can find a new paradise closer to home.
notropis on November 28, 2012 at 2:39 PM
Reuters outdoes itself once again.
eaglephin on November 28, 2012 at 2:40 PM
May all the heads at Reuters and the AP spontaneously combust. They brung you Obama, twice.
Schadenfreude on November 28, 2012 at 2:50 PM
notropis, the media has been touting raul castro as an “admirer” of the chinese model for years yet he hasn’t implemented it to date. The reason is that Cuba is not China. Culturally, politically it’s very different. The regime wouldn’t last 6 months under the Chinese model and castro knows it. So while they tinker with “reforms” that the media touts as “market oriented” they won’t do more than dabble. Don’t expect to see any major reworking of the economic system as China did under Deng Xioping
eaglephin on November 28, 2012 at 2:51 PM
I am pretty sure they mean that after more than 50 years of Castro, Cubans to begin procedures to squeeze blood from a stone.
Cubans have been paying 100% of all their earnings to Taxes.
theguardianii on November 28, 2012 at 3:10 PM
Maybe, instead of seceding, all the liberty lovers can invade Cuba and turn it into a paradise? Or, is it just not big enough?
GWB on November 28, 2012 at 4:01 PM
Flew over it once on my way elsewhere. It’s huge.
Del Dolemonte on November 28, 2012 at 4:19 PM