Tax proposals concern museum’s director

Press, 23 March 1988, Page 9

Tax proposals concern museum’s director

The Canterbury Museum could ‘ be severely affected by proposed changes to the tax laws, according to its director, Mr i| Michael Trotter. He said he was concerned and the; museum intended to make a sub-' mission to the Government once it was known exactly what was proposed. 1 ““ . “It looks pretty bad and we -could be taxed between 555,000 to $71,000 a year," he said. Such a tax: burden would severely strjetch the

museum which had: no financial reserves, I a brteak-even budget, and was collecting money for restoration work. While he i had : not: yet seen j the j consultative document outlining ( the proposals, Mr Trotter: was concerned 'about a tax on trading at (the museum sqpp, i interest on restoration fund donations,; and donations generally. |lncreased; accountancy hburs required to administer such a tax would add tqltrie museum's costs, he said.i ( |>"We are already under

r considerable pressure i from local authorities; to I reduce levies and we may even be taxed on these levies,” ■ ■ I ] Museum activities that ( might suffer if costs had . to be reduced to pay Itax ( included possible: reduc- ( tioh in opening hours,! no increases in staff, and' no museum shop, Mr Trotter said. “Museums should be encouraged to increase commercial activities pnd not be penalised by taxes that threaten these activities,” he said. • f.