What is the income tax rate? How do I convert my house to hotel? 300 questions answered in new Seychelles book

300 Questions on Seychelles Government Services answers questions that are most frequently asked by the public in the Seychelles. (Jude Morel, Seychelles News Agency)

(Seychelles News Agency) - Where can I learn to skipper a ship in Seychelles? How do I register as a musician? What is the income tax rate? Interested in these answers (and many more!) about life in Seychelles? A new book launched Thursday can help.

The book -- ‘300 Questions on Seychelles Government Services’ -- answers questions that are most frequently asked by the public in the Seychelles, a group of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean. Some sample questions are below.

Q: How do I register as a musician? A: You can register with the Seychelles Musicians Association (SEYMAS) if you have produced any tangible work such as a CD.

The launching coincided with National Public Service Day, celebrated on June 23 every year. This year’s theme is ‘A Responsive Public Service: Serving People’s Needs.’

According to the Seychelles’ Vice President Danny Faure, the book will serve as an information tool to better educate and inform citizens, one that will be updated and improved upon with time.

Q: What is Income Tax? A: Income Tax in Seychelles is levied on all personal income, including that of domestic and foreign individuals and companies working in Seychelles. The current rate for income tax is 15% which is withheld from employee salaries by employers.

“When policies are changed, then the document will be updated online to ensure that the policies are clear for everyone, and accusations of discrimination or favouritism in the access to these services are dispelled,” said Faure.

Faure added that the proper procedures and the conditions for applications are also explained.

Vice President Danny Faure says the book will serve as an information tool to better educate and inform citizens. (Mervyn Marie, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

Q: What do I need to do to become a dive instructor? A: To become a dive instructor you will need to have a PADI certficate that can be obtained after successful completion of courses at a licensed dive centre.

The research director of the books’ production team, Melissa Simeon, said that the launching of the book comes at the right time as the government is putting more emphasis on service delivery in the public sector.

Simeon said that it took the department of information two years to compile the 300 questions and answers about government services in the Seychelles.

Q: If I want to rent or convert my house into a self-catering tourism establishment, what is the procedure? A: You need to submit a change of use application from Residential to Self-Catering tourism establishment to the Planning Authority.

Hard copies of the ‘300 Questions on Seychelles Government Services’ will be available in all government departments  and the public can buy their personal copies at around $8.

The electronic version can also be downloaded on the State House website at http://goo.gl/151jjE.

A Creole version of the book is expected to come out later this year.

Q: On Mahé, how can a child participate in the swimming classes? A: Swimming classes for school children are offered during the day from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Roche Caiman National Swimming Pools.