Azzjoni Nazzjonali has proposed a tax rebate equivalent to the national minimum wage for parents who opt to stay at home to raise their children.

The tax rebate for a married couple will be Lm6,000 while the single return will qualify for a rebate of Lm5,000.

Details were given during a news conference at AN's headquarters by spokesman for fiscal affairs Charles Attard in the absence of party leader Josie Muscat.

AN said corporate tax should be reduced to 18 per cent and companies and SMEs should be encouraged to carry out budgeting exercises approved by the Finance Ministry.

AN also said it was unacceptable for restaurants to pay a VAT rate of 18 per cent, while restaurants inside hotels only paid a tax of five per cent.

With regard to the thousands of vacant residences, AN proposed that, in addition to the 20 per cent rebate on maintenance, owners would also be charged a flat tax rate of 18 per cent on their income.

Owners of property built before 1959 would receive the same maintenance rebate but their income would be taxed at five per cent.

"There is a serious party with serious proposals to consider," Dr Attard said.