Mr. Speaker we will introduce a number of fiscal measures in 2024, to strengthen revenue collection, reduce distortions in the tax system and improve taxpayer compliance.
These measures include:
- Reducing tax concessions granted, especially discretionary exemptions. We recognize that concessions and tax incentives are required to encourage investments in new projects and major commercial expansions.
We will continue to provide these concessions as required and in accordance with the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA) Act and the Small Business Development Act. However, for ongoing routine business operations to include consumables these concessions will be discontinued.
- Implementing the increased property tax rate on properties valued at $3 million or more.
- Implementing a 10% excise tax on alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis products.
- Increasing the Money Transfer Levy from 2% to 5%.
- Broadening the ABST tax base by enhancing the list of services that would attract the ABST – including online streaming services. We will also end the concessionary ABST rate applicable to several transactions, most notably in the tourism sector.
- Increasing the ABST rate from 15% to 17% and applying this rate to the tourism sector, which currently attracts a rate of 14%.
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The question to be ask is… the discretionary exemptions mentioned were they legally or illegally granted? what measures are put in place to prevent these illegal concessions from slipping through?
THE RUBBER STAMPING IN SOME OF THESE MINISTRIES NEED TO STOP!!!
We can recalled that when the government change in 2014, PM Browne put an end to the ABST concession granted to the SANDALS group on the grounds that it was illegal….hundreds of millions in concessions already given away ILLEGALLY. Are we to believe that no way at the Inland Revenue Department was aware that the concessions were illegal? The technical experts who are responsible for enforcing the law didn’t knew this? What is legal or illegal is base on the law not on the government in power. While parliament passed laws it is civil servants who enforce the laws.
THIS RUBBER STAMPING AT THE REVENUE COLLECTING AGENCIES IN THIS COUNTRY NEED TO STOP. Concessions granted should be vetted and approved by civil servants according to law…. if it is illegal send them back…back to the politicians who sign them in the first place.
Just blowing smoke. What a joke! The same way he promised to be more vigilant with tax collections but now doesn’t want to upset the apple cart? The same way he said the monstrosity on Long Bay, violating all kinds of laws, would have to be removed and today it still stands? The same way he promised no new taxes but is now unloading an unnecessary tax hike on the poor instead of collecting it from the rich? The same way he promised 34 new projects and thousands of jobs that never happened?
You have to be a dumbass Laborite or Gastonite to believe this garbage
What! he find some courage to finally, “rock the boat”?, or he just lying again. I believe the latter.
And the Hadeeds?
You want duty free? Start ensuring that your food, beverages and products per year is at least 35% of it is locally farmed, produced and manufactured.
That is what hotels and restaurants need to do to get incentives from the government.
Can’t mention the Hadeed without mentioning the Barrettes
I always wonder how certain people can come to Antigua with nothing, one family selling from a bicycle and today are multimillionaires. Or even billionaires. Is it because these people are in bed with corrupt politicians? How many black business millionaires we have in Antigua? We black people must be dunce like crap or the government not helping black people because they like us poor. Maybe also they don’t trust us to be part of their corrupt, self enrichment schemes. Maybe we chat plenty.
He did not send any threat to hotel and supermarket giant on paying any tax , that was a public confidence stunt, because he dear not raise his voice against the all powerful robin who is running the country from the back ground, power generation deals , water deals and look just the other day 100’s of pickup trucks was in hadeed parking lot and government including Apua take all even though there previous vehicle is good. So you will see just a single employee driving around liming with plastics on seats. This is the former unity forum of Lester blue eye boys enrichment gang revived.
What’s unfortunate about this; is that the Opposition Party has not offered a credible alternative to These bulleted “Measures” which are a bunch of hog wash
There is not recent evidence based on credible research that Antigua and Barbuda needs to continue granting duty free treatment to millionaires and billionaires in order to attract investments.
The whole idea of FDI is now a red herring policy and drain on the economy and burden to the poor and shrinking middle class.
There is no independent investigation done and is publicly accessible which determine the value of (ABIA) Act and the Small Business Development Act and who has been benefiting.
The increase tax in Money Transfer Levy from 2% to 5% is another “Soak the poor and Middle Class Tax.
Among the financial data thats hidden are the amount of remittances into the GOAB treasury.
Remittances is what keep many poor families from going hungry day after day.
While the amount of remittances into Antigua and Barbuda is not a published figure, for it an embarrassing amount; it is being happily taxed.
The Opposition is failing once again.
It’s their job to educate the people and arm them with credible information and defendable evidence.
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