Source Real News Antigua: Corn beef, tuna fish, and toilet paper appear to have become luxury items now, as they have been removed from the zero-rated items in the basket of goods.
State Media had published a list, headed “Schedule 2,” in which 64 items are detailed as exempted from the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST), which recently was hiked to a rate of 17 percent.
That list included meat, salted fish, smoked red herring, mackerel, cheese, toothpaste, dish-washing liquids and other detergents – among other items – which have been omitted from the revised list.
The newly released list, dated January 19, 2024, is the final list,
according to ABS Television.
This list, which details 33 exempted items, also includes selected agricultural inputs, such as insecticides and fungicides; tools and equipment; and fertilizers – none of which had been included in the
previous basket of goods.
Hurricane shutters also made the list; and critics say it is obvious why, as they allege that a government minister has an interest in the industry.
In the meantime, other residents are outraged at the revised list, which they say does not make sense.
One woman says that items she frequently buys do not appear on
the new list, and she is wondering when toilet paper became a high-
ticket item that is now taxable.
In discussions held before the 2 percent hike in the sales tax, Ministry of Finance officials had promised that the basket of zero- rated goods would be reviewed to determine how it could be expanded to cushion the impact on the poor.
However, consumers now say it appears that the Gaston Browne
Administration wants the people to suffer while being taxed out of
existence.
They say the revised zero-rated basket is unconscionable as it is half
of what past lists offered.
In the Budget 2024 Presentation, it was noted that the
Administration also would be looking to see what additional
services could attract the ABST.
Reportedly, taxing driver’s licenses had been one service under
consideration.
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Hmmmm!! Is that a genuine mistake? Or a calculated faux paux. You decide my peoples.
Now that toilet paper is a luxury consumable, I’ll need to get a newspaper subscription so that I can have my toilet paper for newspapers are exempt.
Help me understand #15 on the second list.
When is baby formula not for retail?
The government’s mouthpiece caught manipulating and miscalculating the ABST zero rated items. Surely not!
WHAT AH SOMETING …
The photo though, of the general manager for ABS 😆
Back in the old days when we used to use news papers, pattern books and turkey feed leaves and stones. Is it back there Antiguans and Barbudans going back to. Welcome to the next level.
Wait anah him who own the hurricane shutter biznis before jennings???
and don’t forget all the farming equipment for the jacob sweet pee tay tay
If we paying more, we expect better!
I LIVE AT CLARKS HILL. MY GARBAGE HAS NOT BEEN COLLECTED SINCE LAST YEAR.
I COLLECT MY MEDICATION FROM A VAN, NOT A BUS THE SIZE OF THE APUA MOBILE, A VAN.
I USED TO BE ABLE TO WALK IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, NOW THE BOG PUDDLES TURNED POOLS WHEN IT RAINS CAUSE ME TO GET SPLASHED
The list goes on and on and it may sound like ‘rich people problems’ but when I no longer have the yard man (who is someone’s baby daddy) cut the surroundings twice a month, it becomes everyone’s problem, cause who is going to trim the side of the road . Look at casmur lane where mrQuin had a party 4 weeks ao. The bush is growing into the asphalt on the mainroad so its one lane traffic and you park at your risk.
Also speaking of risk, you better have an AK-47, cause look at what happened in bethesda in the wide open!
Bring back income tax if you must, but this is not cutting it.
Just a complete joke! The cabinet of misfits and self enrichment dunces! Man oh man! I thought the first list had some good things but they are all gone now. Figures.
We must push to remove this man before its too late
Where is the Minister of Health?
He and his civil servants should be pushing against the revised 0% list full-force –
‘stay sanitary, clean your surroundings, wash your hands regularly ‘ WITH WHAT SIR MINISTER, WITH WHAT? detergents inc dish liquid, hand soap and toothpaste must be 0%
How are the residents of the Caribbean’s economic powerhouse to wipe their backsides WITH WHAT SIR MINISTER, WITH WHAT? Your govt. really think it’s OK to tax toilet paper in 2024???
‘ Eat a healthy balanced and varied diet to reduce chronic illness that is costing MBS too much’ WHY HAS THE LIST OF FOODSTUFFS REDUCED SIR MINISTER? is variety and healthy choice not what you and your team have been advocating?
Please remember, for many of us, dried, frozen, and canned ‘minimum or no sugar’ fruits and veg and protiens are the most affordable way to purchase as they guarantee long shelf life and no spoilage.
SIR MINISTER OF HEALTH & MINISTRY OF HEALTH QUALIFIED DIETICIANS AND PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, URGENTLY REVIEW THE 0% BASKET AND GIVE YOUR CABINET AND PARLIAMENTARIANS AND SENATORS RATIONALE TO INCLUDE THE ABOVE ITEMS, AND ANY OTHER NECESSITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO MEET YOUR MINISTRY’S GUIDANCE AND DIRECTIVES.
There shouldn’t be no damn tax hike in the first place, so I don’t give a hoot about this damn list..
All I’m hoping for right now, is that this man doesn’t sink Antigua to no return in the next 4 yrs.
It’s going to take years to get out of the heavy debt this man has put the peoples country in..
Collosal mistake to put this man back in office, trust me.
Smdh.
*colossal*. Sorry
I am totally distracted with that pic of the gm!
Give me a minute..omg!
Is that deliberate?
Couldn’t they find a better picture?
I guess you are what you look like!
Geeerz!!
Instead of cooking magic we need some picture magic😅
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