Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1532664
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 FEBRUARY 2025 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Crash barrier to stop off- roading in Has Saptan valley THE Planning Authority has approved Amb- jent Malta's plan to erect a timber-clad crash barrier and a shallow rubble wall to deter off-roading from the existing public road down into the valley at Ħas Saptan in Birżebbuġa. The area, designated as a Site of Community Importance and including a Tree Protection Area, is notorious for off-roading bikes that damage the landscape, trample vegetation, and contribute to soil erosion. Off-roading is defined in law as all forms of driving, manoeuvring, and parking of motor vehicles that are not related to agriculture and take place off public roads. Off-roading activi- ties may only occur in sites licensed as such by the competent authorities. These sites must be clearly marked with the appropriate signage, and there must be clearly defined lanes. A master plan for the Għar Dalam National Park, issued by Heritage Malta in 2019, list- ed off-roading as one of the environmental threats facing the area. The crash barrier, to be erected along Triq Ħas Saptan, will be built using Douglas fir wood to ensure it blends well with the surroundings. The proposed rubble wall will be limited to a height of 60 cm. In 2021, the PA approved an application to turn a quarry in Aħrax into Malta's first official track for off-roading hobbyists. People breaching off-roading regulations are liable to a fine of between €116 and €1,165, which may increase to between €233 and €2,329 for repeat offences. A crash barrier is being proposed in a valley notorious for illegal off- roading, where bikes trample on protected land CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 This would typically be the case for per- sons from whom the tax administration requests documents for the carrying out of tax audits or to notify with a tax assess- ment. The company boasts a rapidly growing 309-cab fleet, raising eyebrows among many in the cab sector who, for years, questioned how a company could grow its fleet to such an extent while simulta- neously acquiring garaging facilities nec- essary to comply with the law. In fact, WT Global was not in accord- ance with the law, as last January, Trans- port Malta revoked its operating licence due to false declarations regarding garag- ing facilities made to the authority. Similarly, TXGO also had its operating licence revoked in January. As of last No- vember, TXGO operated 27 vehicles. The two companies have both appealed the revocation of their licences and have been allowed by the court to contin- ue operating pending the conclusion of their appeal. Neither of the companies responded to MaltaToday when asked to explain their undeclared taxes. Tax rules changes The platform economy, which en- compasses the local ride-hailing sector, among others, is part of an EU initiative to reform and modernise VAT collection. In a 2022 proposal by the European Commission, the current VAT system was flagged for being outdated and una- ble to keep up with modern realities such as the gig economy, which has flourished in the digital age. This has resulted in flawed VAT col- lection and control, excessive burdens and compliance costs for businesses, and significant revenue losses due to the VAT gap. In 2020, the VAT gap, which is the difference between the expected VAT revenue and the amount actually collect- ed, was estimated at €93 billion. The Commission's proposal aims to update VAT rules for the platform econ- omy. It seeks to clarify the rules regarding the place of supply for transactions in- volving platforms and strengthen the role of platforms in VAT collection. The proposal introduces a "deemed supplier" model, making platforms re- sponsible for accounting for VAT on the underlying supply when the supplier fails to charge VAT. Last November, EU member states unanimously agreed on the proposal, pav- ing the way for its implementation. The timeline for the implementation process is set to start in 2025 and end in 2030. Tax rules for the cab sector will change in the coming years WT Global's garage in Mosta