Senator Dwayne George voiced his strong support for a bill seeking to raise taxes on money transfers out of Antigua and Barbuda.
The bill, passed earlier today, proposes increasing the existing 2% tax to 5%, with Senator George advocating for a “bigger contribution” from all individuals, including non-nationals, to bolster the country’s finances.
“Antigua and Barbuda must ensure that everyone, regardless of nationality, contributes their fair share to the country’s economic well-being,” Senator George asserted.
He highlighted that both nationals and non-nationals benefit from the services provided by the government, including healthcare, education, and public goods, and therefore, it is only fair that everyone contributes proportionately.
“We’re asking for just a little bigger contribution,” Senator George reiterated, emphasizing the minimal impact of the proposed increase on individuals.
He urged his fellow senators to support the bill, stating that it is a necessary step towards building a strong and resilient economy for Antigua and Barbuda.
Senator George also addressed potential opposition to the bill, urging unity and support for measures that benefit the country. “We must all work together towards the common goal of economic prosperity,” he emphasized.
The senator’s call for a “bigger contribution” from non-nationals sparked a lively debate in the Senate, with some senators expressing concerns about the potential impact of the tax increase.
However, Senator George remained steadfast in his support for the bill, arguing that it is essential for the country’s economic growth.
“Non-nationals who choose to live and work in Antigua and Barbuda should contribute to the country’s finances,” Senator George stated. He emphasized that the proposed increase is a reasonable measure to ensure that everyone contributes their fair share.
Senator George reiterated his full support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of all residents, including non-nationals, playing a more significant role in the country’s financial stability and economic development.
“We must all do our part to ensure a prosperous future for Antigua and Barbuda,” he concluded.
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What nonsense. 95% of the persons who send money via one of the money transfer operators are immigrants and ordinary Antiguans and Barbudans who have children studying overseas. Rich people use banks to make transfers because they have bank accounts. Many immigrants do not have bank accounts because the banks ask for too much things including a pint of your grandmother’s blood. We have such a jokey opposition in this country that their debate in Parliament, with the exception of Richard Lewis, once again demonstrated they were not smart. The Immigrants, particularly Guyanese and Jamaicans have traditionally supported Labour. It is their party which is now digging out their eyes. And the poor UPP missed the opportunity to hammer home this point.Immigrants pay Work Permit, Social Security, Medical Benefits and Education Levy, plus rent, utilities and food, and now they will have to pay more to send home maintenance for their elderly parents and children. But Gaston loves them.
I truly love this comment knowing the fact that immigrant pay dear to stay here I know the country needs revenue to move forward but Dwayne George think about what you are saying
Respectfully Mr. George, when you refer to Non National paying their fair share of taxes are you implying that paying Social Security, Medical Benefit, Education Levy and the 17% at the supermarkets and for other services is not their fair share?
Exactly. I’m having a serious difficulty understanding his logic.
As far i know, and you can check it..Not all products have ABST at supermarkets..I have lot of receipts and most of the items are Zero Tax..Yesterday i purchase around 420 ec at 1st Choice and only 19.27 ec was tax…so there is a list of items that are zero tax..
All muscle and ZERO brains!!
U know when ya friend have something n u guys fall out , u try take something close to them even if u have no need for it. Out of spite. Kids bizniz.
Meet curious George. Stolen with no use .but spite 😭
Respectfully senator George I do not understand what you are trying to say. Will there be a separate tax for non nationals when using these transfer services? Because the last time I check everyone is paying the same taxes. treating non-nationals differently when it comes to taxation would be discriminatory and could create tensions between different groups in society. It is in the interest of social cohesion and fairness that everyone, regardless of nationality, pays their fair share of taxes.
Taxation is based on income, property, and consumption, not on nationality.
I am responding based on what I just read..
Imagine working paying. SS MB education land tax , road tax , tax cuz a tax with the lil u have left paying 5% to send money go farrin Fi shop n pack barrel. N when them send the barrel u Fi pay 17% tax plus rrc plus duty.
If u send money go farrin that barrel have 22% tax automatically. But on the bright side. $1 barrel dey a December
Based on Mr. George Interview with Berfod on ABS during the St Mary’s election, why should anyone be surprised as to what comes out his mouth?
Reading the above suggests that the non nationals like myself are not paying social security, medical benefits, education levy, like everyone else in order to benefit from the same services that is spoken about. In addition depending on nationality, work permit. Let us not forget that the persons who work within the private sector did not receive an increase in pay like the public sector in order to account for the % increase in ABST. So pray tell…. where the rest of the money coming from to pay for additional taxes? Cause us, non nationals also have rent to pay as we are not the first considered for national housing even though we equally contribute to the development of the country. We also have utilities which was also increased by the 2%, not forgetting food(increased by 2%).. and God forbid that we have children to send to school. But still we are yet to hear of the ministers taking a pay cut to assist in the country’s economic growth, its all about pressuring the poor people who are barely making it . Cause unlike some, we are not gifted the luxury of travel allowances, and free housing, free vehicles, and money for upkeep. Ridiculous!!
How often does these non nationals send home money SERIOUSLY how often is it every week …. Maybe for some but it can’t be ALL
HOW often does an Antiguan send money ah farrin to anybody they more always receiving………. ah BET ARU START GO AH MARKET GO TAX non nationals cas ah dem ah sell more than ANTIGUANS down there now as well ……
How many business owners collect tax and dnt pay dem and threaten to shut their doors if you continue pressing them leaving Antiguans but MOSTLY foreigners without work
My thing is carry up the WORK PERMIT FEE
Apply the pressure, Gaston, show them how compassionate you are. Most of them will are proud to announce that they supported ‘Layba’ back home so they are destined to maintain their tradition. They share some responsibility for what’s going on here so demonstrate your love for them.
Imagine is this chimps was become a MP?.
His jacket too tight. Cutting off blood supply to his brain causing him to think and say nonsense.
@NotSoCommon – Precisely what went through my mind!
Mehta do you want him to do. Come on folks .. he was given a script.
He is simply following the script.
Why isn’t there a tax on outward bound wire transfers.
This is a wedge issue that UPP can use to highlight ABLP soak the poor people and make the rich richer ABLP philosophy.
It bogles my mind that anyone: nationals, non-nationals, ABLP supporters thought that ABLP would be any better than this. History should have shown us that they don’t care to lie, and lie. What has become of their promise of “more jobs, less taxes”? I laughed at that and many on here cursed me but I knew ABLP will always be a continued curse on this country. So, especially non-nationals don’t be fooled again.
Yep, ” The man call George” has spoken again.. 😂..these people are trying to make themselves viable with the most corrupt practices I’ve even seen.
What benefits, are all of us sharing in Mr George,where are those such benefits you so flamboyantly speak of?
This administration is always working off a shortfall, not because the money is not coming in from all these “so-called” high-end projects often mentioned or blabbing out of Gatson Brownes mouth, but it’s working off a shortfall, because of the loot that y’all keep robbing from the people.
Y’ all keep going to parliament begging for more and more, but yet still live in 2 million dollar houses, and drive fancy cars, and lucrative businesses all over the place.
Go sit you butt down somewhere, man called George, they are using you as a scapegoat, because Gatson has run out of financial ideas for the country.
What, the Alpha Nero ain’t selling fast enough, or the 1000 or so Africans ain’t paying their fair share in taxes? oh I forgot, they simply disappeared off the face of the 🌍.
Bwoy please..jokers.
The math ain’t mathing bro!!!
too dang greeeedy, we don’t mind paying our taxes but give us better roads , water , health care , education. not to mention we pay our dues on the due dates , we buy food , pay rent , transport board for cars license , electricity, water, internet , school fees, Sir what is left to save for the small man ??? How come contracts given out to certain special people all the time not making public headlines, how come certain big ones have heavy duty vehicles in the system getting work and antiguans who have same can’t get their in too ? how come there’s no public tender for work from government, it’s only handpicked to a few ?? what ever happen to the public accounts committee who scrutinise the budget and public spending for contracts ?? we have a weak opposition who does the same once get into office . who watch who ??? where is the transparency for the Lord’s sake , how much a man really wants in this life ?? you can’t take it to your maker for sure …. God says give Cesar what belongs to him but come on Cesar you too dang greedy … cut the abst to 13 % and make cut backs on ministers salary because they do nothing much all year long , cut travel allowances for Big boys , cut money for food for parliament , cut overseas trips for ministers and lavish hotels and airlines tickets , cut brand new vehicles for ministries , second hand can last for years anyway, cut overstaffed in gov offices … cut the crap. Give all antiguans , teachers, doctors, nurses, police and soldiers cheap lands for 20,000 ec. and dialogue with the banks for 3% interest rate for their loans to build a 130,000 house . repair all the elderly homes , get rid of galvanised fences and bring in wire mesh from China for cheap and get the soldiers and prisoners to build the community fences and homes back. have big boys water trucks distribute water everyday in communities that can’t get water, give the youths in the village a $80 per day to help build their area up , repair all the roads , bring in cheap food from the USA for the less fortunate all year long, provide water for farmers at a better rate or have close by wells, so production can be cheaper, have fertizipers made cheaper so we the population can pay less for vegetables , So don’t tell me to pay more when Government can still profit but implement mechanisms for a better country , read my article again on how to cut back spending and see the results will be different , we dont need free garbage trucks from overseas gov and then charge 30 k for works done , its wrong …..
greed will lead us all to hell….
Non Nationals has bigger problems than the ABST on money transfer.
They are waiting with bated breath for LIAT to return with regular flights.
Many have been holding their money for that moment to make the trip back home, with their saving in their pockets.
What they are in for is a big surprise, that will make proposed application of ABST to money transfers seem like a gift.
When they see the cost of flying out and back to Antigua in LIAT(2020) many are going to hold their belly and bawl.
These ticket prices are going to affect everyone. What Senator George said pales compared to what is going on at LIAT(2020).
The GOAB will issue a statement on why the ticket prices are so high.
There is always a hidden cost to graft.
In my former business it was called the Mob cost.
The real answer: It’s time for the Non Nationals to get real, and recognize that the welcoming hands of the ABLP is really hands in the Non National pockets.
The pies they are thinking they earned in Antigua and Barbuda are being eroded by the very political party they blindly follow.
Can the opposition parties make the case for the Non Nationals to understand that they were forced to leave their countries, not because of lack of resources; but because of the misuse of resources. LIAT (2020) is a classic case.
@ Concerned Resident,
I hope this indicate for you and others who are unlikely to get and “gifted the luxury of travel allowances, and free housing, free vehicles, and money for upkeep”
You are not family THEMOB only helps family. Everyone else is fair game for a shake down. You and other non-Nationals have been played by ALBP.
They spread the welcome mat for you, and then kick you in your asses. Until non-Nationals recognize that for them it’s getting a job you may not have been able to get in your country. But if you are foolish enough to keep the ALBP in power you’ll eventually and eventfully get burn.
The senator said something’s that glaringly true: There are more non nationals in Antigua and Barbuda than Antiguans themselves. Which other country would allow its born and bred citizens to be outnumbered by newcomers? Don’t misunderstand me; there might be a need to increase the population from outside for economic reasons but not to the extent of everyone welcome to secure votes. This policy is shortsighted. We now see the result in the rise of the crime rate unknown in Antigua before. Taxes and yet more taxes and what is there to show for it? A delapidated capital,a broken health system and much else besides which needs fixing but will never be at the rate government is going. As another poster said, ministers’ salaries should be cut and all the allowances and perks awarded to them needed to trimmed too or better still, disbanded. These ministers live high on the hog and it is no wonder that some former members of other political parties jump ship at the drop of the hat to join the gravy train that is the ABLP. It’s nice work if you can get it.
A pure case of a person becoming a political prostitute .
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