If we have to keep the dreaded VAT, I concur with Mr. Myers. However, the PEOPLE would benefit more with its complete elimination and the enforcement of a properly collectible, accountable and fair level of import duty. Then no-one will be inflating prices to ensure that the VAT credit collected is sufficient to keep business profitable. It's a stupid system and a crippling tax.

Utilities, medical services and educational services should not be taxed in any way shape or form.

The new government is going down the same path as always, which is to ignore the obvious in order to suit what they believe to be popular sentiment.

CUSTOMS DUTY + VAT = DISASTER FOR THE PEOPLE

It's high time for a progressive tax structure to be introduced that would ensure the likes of Sir Snake, Brent & Craig Symonette, D'Aguilar, the Greeks, the Maynard-Gidson family and others like them pay their fair share of the taxes Minnis reckons he needs to run the most efficient and cost effective government possible. The poor and the middle class can no longer carry the lion's share of our nation's tax burden! DO YOU HEAR US DR. MINNIS?! As you put it, "It's the people's time" and we want you to make good on your many promises to afford us much needed relief from the current very regressive tax structure that is so unfair to all but the wealthy in our society.

Well mudda,

Absolutely correct.
Thank you for your comment.
It is not just "the people's time.
It is "the people's money."

The best thing that Minnis et. al. can do is leave VAT as it is and just clean up its administration and roll back all of the frill taxes promised to relieve a semblance of "double taxation" ..... Do not experiment with this Pandora's Box (a PLP chickcharnie may escape) ....... and for Jesus' sake, collect the other government taxes (that is the real problem in our country)

taxation is a fact of life.. one of the reasons we are so deep in debt is because we dont want to collect/increase taxes where required, but we expect to keep spending more and more.. how is it we all understand why we need a pay increase, but govt doesn't need one (more tax income)? only the Arabs (according to google search) seem to be able to spend without taxation and even they will soon have VAT...

Socrates,
Taxes are a fact of life. Yes, but how taxes are raised is completely arbitrary.
When you say Arabs, you obscure any understanding.
If you mean the states which get most of their revenue from petro dollars, then yes you are correct.
However, your point only serves to distract thinking.
The question isn't just government spending.
It is the millions upon millions of dollars that have been squandered, stolen and misappropriated by so many Bahamians, be they politicians, bankers, or opportunist businessmen.
The list is endless here.
Over priced government contracts, unpaid loans to BOB, outright theft and a national work ethic that leaves much to be desired.
Taxes are necessary, yes.
Do we spend the tax money, account for it properly, and participate in sharing the tax burden here in The Bahamas.
The answer is a resounding NO.
The government's major failure is not in spending too much.
The major failing is a lack of accountability, outright theft and an uneducated populace that doesn't give a shit.
These are all things the government can and should do to change the equation.
The issue is are we getting our money's worth for our taxes?
The answer is no and we want to simply blame the "government" instead of admitting we have a society that worships the corrupt rich, has few morals, cares little about education, and overall seems to care less about their fellow human beings.
And yet, we call ourselves a Christian country. How sad!!!!
The Bahamian government is made up of Bahamians.
People who don't have a problem "borrowing" millions of dollars of the people's money, stealing, getting special deals from foreign investors, corrupting the judicial process, and on and on.
And then, getting re-elected because they did such a splendid job controlling government spending.
We are all suffering from a lack of Christian values and a horrible education.

Leave VAT alone...reduce customs duties with the aim of eventually eliminating customs duties as promised when VAT was originally discussed!!

If Government would do as was originally promised, we could live with the 7.5% VAT, as long as there is no double taxation. Still feel VAT should be eliminated on all medical and educational services.
Either that or eliminate VAT and transform customs import duty to a simple
across the board duty (suggest 25%) on all items entering the Bahamas. Enforce this collection and prosecute all smugglers. Fine them on the spot, say ten times the duty due. Dismissal and fines for any customs personnel participating in smuggling.
Also feel EVERYONE in the Bahamas should pay the tax, no exemptions to investors. Allowing them to invest in our beautiful country should be thanks enough!

The history of economic thought, as well as, any semblance of fairness has been educated out of our heads.
VAT is a regressive tax.
Of course business people love VAT. They don't pay it. Businesses get to pass on VAT to the people and the taxes come out of working people's wages every time they purchase anything, or pay for any service.
Please watch Greece closely. The same thing will be happening here. As it does with EVERY other country that follows the IMF dictates and the geniuses that are in control of most every countries financial policies now.
The financial class does not give a shit about the people. They only care about making more money for themselves. Just like the parasitic web shops here in The Bahamas.
Our educational system and think tanks, all sponsored by the super rich and big business has shaped our thinking about taxation to the point where the discussion is limited to utter foolishness. Just like the Tribune only ever interviewing the finance and business sector.
Politicians have to toe the line for policies that are "politically viable".
And, our populace globally has been so dumbed down, so consumed with the crap on Facebook, so distracted by reality shows and the stupidity on TV that very, very few people, even the so-called educated people understand how badly the 99% are getting screwed.
Don't complain about the Chinese taking over. Quit complaining that government wastes our money. We hand our country over to others with every dear dollar that is spent in the web shops, the liquor stores and every other waste of valuable money which is then used to control our politicians.
For God's sake. Is the overwhelming evidence not everywhere? Does nobody take an interest in studying the recent history of what has been going on around the world with regard to taxation, IMF loans, the World Bank, the European Central Bank, and the increasing inequality that is happening at an increasing rate.
How does an educated businessperson explain this?
That the rich are so much more productive and worthy of their increasing riches.
Is that what we see here in The Bahamas?
It is tax policy. And, everyone seems to be so busy either making money or working two jobs that they don't have time to do any reading on the subject.
Ok, if you don't want to read try these two videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlhFMa4…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGV11in…

We, as a world, are woefully uneducated about the realities of where humanity is headed.
Here in The Bahamas is no exception.
I see no business leader or politician who has the brains or the ethical fortitude to lead this country forward.

Well norman-t. I sooooooo agree with the content of your post. I will just refrain from agreeing with the very last sentence (at this point!).