I am not sure whether Anthony Galea (Let us not kill the golden goose, TMID, 29 June) is defending the interests of AD, those of the host families or his own. What I am sure of is that he is shedding crocodile tears over the harm to our tourist industry if fewer students come to Malta because host families are made to pay their taxes.

Unlike your correspondent, I do not worry about other people’s problems unless they concern me. I am straight. I am defending my own interests because I have always declared my full income. I am fed up with tax dodgers who find every excuse under the sun to escape the tax net.

The excuses brought up by Mr Galea are common. In fact, they are used by many when confronted by tax people. I am sure that the host families are intelligent enough to know how to do their homework. They are not hosting these students as a favour to their country or out of love for these students. They are doing this to make money, and a lot of money too. I do not blame them. People associated with schools for foreign students tell me that many of these students come from well-to-do families and money is no problem.

As regards the difficulties of assessing their net profit, the host families can easily consult one of the many accountants in our midst. Failing this, they can come to an agreement with the Inland Revenue Department as many others do. I am sure that the accounts people face more complicated problems than those of the host families. There is a Maltese saying which goes like this: “Fejn jieklu tnejn jieklu tlieta” – literally translated: “there is not much difference whether you cook for two or for three”.

If Mr Galea has his way, the government will face much bigger financial problems than at present, as many people will not pay their taxes because of similar problems. Then from where will the government get the revenue needed to finance our social services, education, health and other things?

As your correspondent wrote, there other ways in which taxes may be raised – as usual, burdening the honest tax payers with more taxes.

Carmel Camilleri

Paola