Your tax, your choice: Momentum proposes letting taxpayers allocate a percentage of their Income Tax to a voluntary organisation of their choice

Momentum today set out three further proposals as part of its Bidla ta’ Vera campaign, covering civil society funding, research and innovation incentives, and national security.

Giving taxpayers a say in how their money supports voluntary organisations

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 extra. 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.

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.

Backing neutrality with real capability for defence and security

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 will increase investment in the Armed Forces of Malta’s operational capacity so that our constitutional neutrality is backed by credible capability on land, in the air, and across our territorial waters. More funding also needs to be allocated towards emergency equipment and operations.

“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.”, says Billy J. McBee, Momentum’s candidate in Districts 1 and 6.

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