Momentum reveals three more electoral proposals
Pledges include allocation of percentage of income tax to voluntary organisation of one's choice
Momentum on Friday revealed three further proposals as part of its Bidla ta’ Vera campaign, covering civil society funding, research and innovation incentives, and national security.
The party has pledged to give taxpayers the opportunity to allocate a percentage of their income tax to a voluntary organisation of their choice.
Malta currently allows automatic income deductions only for the Malta Community Chest Fund. Momentum proposes extending this principle to all enrolled voluntary organisations, allowing taxpayers to direct 0.8% of the income tax they already pay to the cause of their choice.
“This will cost the citizens nothing It simply gives every taxpayer a direct say in how part of their contribution supports the civil society organisations doing vital work in their communities, whether to a foodbank, a local animal shelter, or an environmental organisation,” Momentum said.
Zero tax for RD&I investment
The party has also proposed rewarding “genuine” investment in research and innovation. Companies that commit at least 10% of their annual turnover to qualifying Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) activity will pay zero tax on income generated from intellectual property for their first five years, with a maximum rate of 10% thereafter.
Momentum believes that businesses making serious investment in innovation deserve serious tax relief in return.
More funds for AFM
Momentum has pledged to increase investment in the Armed Forces of Malta’s operational capacity so that Malta’s constitutional neutrality is backed by “credible”capability on land, in the air and across territorial waters.
More funding would alos be allocated towards emergency equipment and operations.
“Malta’s defence spending remains among the lowest in the EU as a share of GDP, and the bulk of that budget is consumed by wages. The country lacks operational vessels, functioning helicopters, and an up-to-date defence strategy. Recent incidents close to our shores have exposed how ill-prepared Malta is to respond to emerging threats, let alone manage their environmental or security consequences,” Momentum said.
Billy J. McBee, Momentum’s candidate in Districts 1 and 6 said that “every cent of tax paid by Maltese families deserves to be put to good use”.
“We want to give citizens a real say in what their money supports, and backing the volunteers and organisations who give so much to their communities is a start.”