We only have a few weeks left to perform our annual duty as a responsible citizen of Malaysia to pay taxes. While we’d be lucky if the Inland Revenue Board reimburse our tax rebates, the people of Portugal could be driving away with new cars, as the Portuguese government is giving away free cars for their citizens who pay their taxes!
Their government has started a plan called “Factura da Sorte,” (or lucky receipt) in which people using their tax ID number when making purchases are entitled to enter a lottery for a car drawing. Every week, there will be lottery drawings on TV to select the lucky citizen who will drive home with a brand new car.
This scheme is aim to crack down on the black economy, which has ballooned in recent years as incomes have fallen, taxes have risen and austerity measures have been implemented as a result of the Eurozone bailout. Although it has sparked controversy and raised some eyebrows, the government believes that the cost will be offset by a predicted €600 to 800 million annual boost to tax revenues.
However, they did not mention what type of car will be given as the lottery prize. On the other hand, we would be more than happy to perform our responsibility as a citizen by paying taxes should our government runs this similar scheme by giving away free Protons.
[Source: http://www.theatlanticcities.com/
Image Source: www.dw.de]
