LETTER: Some Syrian Fast-Food Franchises Reject Debit Card Payments: A Tactic to Evade ABST Tax?

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Dear Editor,

I am writing to address a concerning trend I’ve noticed with some fast food franchises across the island, mainly among the Syrian community, who are refusing to accept debit cards for payment.

These establishments claim they are avoiding bank charges, but one has to wonder if this is more about evading the ABST tax obligations.

As a society increasingly moving towards a cashless economy, we must consider what will happen when paper currency is completely phased out. Will these businesses continue to operate in the shadows of outdated payment systems?

It’s important that we hold these establishments accountable and urge them to embrace modern payment methods that cater to customer needs.

Ultimately, it would be unfortunate for these locations to lose business simply because they refuse to evolve. I encourage fellow consumers to voice their concerns and push for a more accommodating approach from our local fast-food chains.


In addition, the government must investigate these suspected tax evaders. You wonder why the local businessmen with similar businesses can barely stay open while these shops are thriving.

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16 COMMENTS

  1. It’s the bank charges for real. What you pay is not what they get. And there is the rental of the equipment as well to deal with. I do believe it’s the charge not the tax.

  2. Why are we singling out the Syrians? Most locally owned and smaller businesses don’t take cards as a form of payment. Local food shops, gas stations,all the SHEIN resellers etc. Are you for real?

    Sounds like you wrote this when you were hangry😒

  3. Seem like the writer would be first in line for the mark of the beast. I you knew anything about business you would’ve wasted your time on the article. Some free advice and you don’t need cash or card to get it, the next time you enter the Syrian establishments just look for a certificate from Inland Revenue. SMH because you didn’t get to use a card everyone should follow you on a fast food campaign. One of the problem with the world is technology make everyone think they have something valuable to add to society.

  4. This person clearly doesn’t know how Abst works. IF they are registered, and I doubt most are, they cant avoid it because of the way you pay. It’s the bank charges. The bank takes something like 2.5% out of every transaction. As for the idea that Syrians thrive while others close down its because that community really supports each other which is more than can be said for locals.

  5. As far as the SYRIAN-controlled fastfood franchises are, why not simply boycott them. The way they have all of a sudden taken over the fast food business and the Tyre sales and repair business, I recommend that as far as possible, Antiguans and Barbudans should avoid these businesses like the plague! Consumers do have some level of economic power. Use it!

    • Boycott them like how Shugy boycott Parliament???? Ok. got it!

  6. Sounds like this was written by a big back Dominican woman who sleeps with many businessmen for money but who learns nothing from them.

  7. But this is not news. A lot of Syrian business establishments have always practiced this. How many times you go in to get a deal or sale price and they tell you that you have to pay with cash if you want the discount? We talking well established places, not a new up and coming business. However most Antiguan born business owners do not practice this. They have their card machine right up front and ready for you. I shop with my antiguan brothers and sisters alot so I know.

  8. Need to do regular food quality checks at all these Syrian establishments too. I ordered and picked up food from one which gave me a nice detox (shitting my guts out) the following morning. Subsequently I’ve decided to do an in person visit to order some chicken for my dog and observed the sweaty cashier collecting money, then handling food. nasty nasty nasty, are you tap support them!!

  9. The payment processor takes a cut of the transaction. People don’t know that? When i was shopping in St Maarten some would give me a further discount if i paid in cash.

  10. Mount Joy Service Station is stealing our money. What they give you in gas is not what comes off as bank charges. Last week I bought $140 gas with my debit card only to discover the charges of $146 and change. They are robbing people so they don’t pay the charges. The Banking Association needs to look into that. I will never go back there.

    • Always pay that place with cash! Dem very SKAMPISH when it comes to card payments. I had an issue some time and had to go in to speak to someone about it.

  11. Writer, you probably should have considered various factors before accusing a particular community of tax fraud.

    The banking system in Antigua is so annoying, have you tried opening an account lately? Consider the complications of opening an account and getting a credit machine; then the bank charges – a percentage charge for each transaction and a monthly fee for the credit card terminal (and they will not allow you to purchase it outright). Also, the rate may vary based on the size of the business.

    Now, if you are selling services like propane gas, topup, etc, the profit of those services is so small that if you allowed a credit card purchase, the business would end up at a loss. Hence, the reason you may find that many small business cannot afford to take the cards. Similarly, the Syrian fast food sells at a very cheap rate and if they take a card, it would mean even less profit. I can only imagine that it would be hurtful for these Syrians trying to bring you food at the cheapest rate and you end up accusing them of fraud!

    The real issue is that the banks needs to lower the rates and make it a lot easier to do business.

  12. This person have no clue about business in Antigua.
    1-. Any business register in Antigua don’t pay ABST if sales is below 300K in a year.
    2-. All Banks in Antigua charge no less than 4 % of every transaction being done using CC Terminals..Plus Rental Fee that is between 50 to 100 ec per month of each CC POS that you get from the bank. Also any funds will be available after 1 or 2 business days, if it weekends or holidays more days. MEANS your cash flow will be affected seriously.
    3-. Thousands of local vendors don’t have CC terminals. No Taxis, Busses, Gas Station (you can’t purchase Gasoline or Diesel in Antigua using a CC) except the one by Airport Road..all WIOC don’t allow you use CC to purchase fuel.
    4-. How many Government institutions don’t allow you to pay using CC? Social Security and Education Levy don’t accept CC transactions.
    5-. Is very clear a envy feeling of this writer.. Because you are just targeting a community of Vendors, but turning your eyes aside for the rest of vendors..Is any street grill in Antigua accept CC transaction? Public Market?
    Please don’t embarrassed yourself with this kind of message if you don’t have a clue how business work

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