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Government moves to phase out long-term tax breaks, citing misuse under old regime
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved a new policy limiting all tax concessions to a maximum of three years, beginning December 1, 2025, as part of a wider effort to strengthen fiscal discipline and curb abuse of the system.
Director-General of Communications Maurice Merchant announced that all existing concessions will cease on November 30, and businesses wishing to continue receiving benefits must reapply under the new rules.
Applications must include proof of business operations and evidence of tax compliance with the Inland Revenue Department.
Merchant explained that the Cabinet’s decision stemmed from concerns that some concessions—granted years ago—had “outlived their usefulness” and were being misused for purposes outside their original scope.
In some cases, benefits originally approved for hotel development were later applied to other ventures, such as restaurants or equipment imports.
“The government believes that three years is sufficient for any new project to take root,” Merchant said, noting that companies may reapply once their term expires.
The new framework aims to ensure that fiscal incentives are time-bound, transparent, and directly aligned with national economic priorities.
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Mr PM, the problem is not with the length of the time period of the concession but with those who are responsible for vetting and approving said concessions. These persons are either unfamiliar with what the law says( in this case they just rubber stamp) or they lack integrity ( willful neglect). The vehicle gate scandal is due to more of the later and a little of the former mixed with a whole tonne a greed. Another thing when persons with knowledge of the law try to correct these square pegs in round holes they are victimized ( talking from my personal experience in the Customs and Excise Department).
Finally civil servants need to know that while Parliament passed laws and the Cabinet sets policies…it is the duty of civil servants to ensure that such concessions are supported by law. WHEN THE SHIT HITS THE FAN IT IS CIVIL SERVANTS WHO THE POLITICAL DIRECTORATE WILL BLAME
@Dion Pelle
I mostly agree with you, but one thing that I have always said is that humans are corruptible!
When your items come in via port or you have to go to Head Office I see it all the time. The businessmen come in and flash a little smile, a lunch money here and a lunch money there and God knows what else.
Come on, we can all speak to these customs officers who have houses bigger than their salaries.
Yes, it’s not just “those who are responsible for vetting and approving said concessions”, it’s also the people who are enforcing or not enforcing these concessions that are responsible for half the shit that’s going on.
After trillions came into Antigua by way of goods and services in the past 15 years, with very little revenue or benefits to show for it, because most of the money was swindled from the peoples purse, it’s now this joker is tightening up the laws?
This reactive government has to go, quick and fast.
There is no time in Antigua’s history than in the last 15 years that more money has ever been spent in goods and services in Antigua, no time at all.
After the American economic recovery in 2013, the flood gates were opened like manner from heaven…even the great (@less we forget) eluded to those facts over and over, not knowing he’s proving the point that many of us have made..
Where all the money gone?
St johns does not look like a city that should host a so-called economic power house government.
The golden days of Antigua economically was squandered by this Administration.. it’s like Antigua is now starting their country, when they should have been 15-20 years ahead of everyone else.
Get rid of this inept Administration..and if y’all think that it’s just me talking politics, y’all are fools.
Getting rid of this government will be a breath of fresh air for Antigua.
This only increase the ministers takes as they go behind the seen to wave these concessions for these white foreigners.