I still cannot get over one of their original lies,
That VAT would increase revenue but that duties would drop,
and the public should see a decrease in the cost of living!
Something from nothing.
Their lies are now into the tenth generation and even less believable.
Their so called consultants, VAT team members, Ministry of finance people,
not a one of them could turn a dollar profitably,
without stealing it!

VAT on services will amount to a 7.5% + cost increase on that portion of a household or business budget, a previously untaxed realm.
VAT on imports through end of use sale will add to the costs of supplies UP to 7.5 + % contingent on duty rate reductions.
What I find very disingenuous are these "letters to Editors" online and otherwise touting the "saving grace" of VAT, letters that must be Government sponsored as no one could be so ignorant of our miserable fiscal or government management position.
While I agree the Bahamas could use a dose of First world accountability, it seems it will only apply to the citizenry, not the Government, the source of 90% of our misery and indebtedness.
Mind, it has been said that People rarely get the Government they want, they get the Government they deserve.

Rupert, you keep telling them the truth,
the realities created by clueless idiots in Government who are incapable of thinking through the cause and effect of their simpleminded actions are the biggest impediment to anyones happiness or success in the Bahamas.
Fools meander where wise men fear to tread!

And who in their right mind would think the government wouldn't be planning a major surprise or hiding the rules til the last min?
To be honest requires firstly a working knowledge of a given subject, and second an honest objective.
Water and sewage is run exactly on this same government model:
If the pipe leaks, pump more water into it!
Worrisome is the general silence from the majority in the business community,
still operating on the "stay low,stay quiet" principal, a hold over from the original PLP regime risks.
Maybe once their lunch is eaten they'll grow some Cajones.
A sad state of affairs to be sure,
but one well earned.

No one seems to get this but VAT is being introduced because our Government, in wanting to join wto has to reduce duty rates, but has until 2025 to do so across the board.
VAT is intended to replace the lost revenue, but does not preclude double dipping for a span of years.
Won't happen but they can hope.
The EU-EPA trade agreement, being a "super WTO" compliant trade agreement has already been signed, and already has preferential treatment aspect for signatory nations goods and services.

Who is it spying on if not civilians?
If not Bahamian Civilians?
Can you say Ton Ton M'coute?
Seriously, where is the intelligence coming from anyway?
Maybe supplied by Foreign employees?
I swear the world they operate in is so far removed from the average Bahamians reality.
Lawful is lawful,
something they seem to have lost all association with.

Pot calling the Kettle black.
Pardon the Pun.
This back and forth between Ingrahamites and Perristas is pointless,
The old frying pan/fire argument.
Both horrible incompetents just in different directions.
We really aught to be able to do better.

The New Zealand VAT "consultants" were shown "filtered data" and not given all of the realities on the ground.
There are many large businesses who were not talked to,
not consulted with,
not even visited.

"Michael Halkitis, minister of state for finance, earlier this week said he was very confident in the Government’s readiness to implement VAT on January 1."
Of course the Government is ready,
all they have to do is sit back and collect!
Getting them to stop contradicting each other and changing the rules is another matter.

The basic problem is each Government minister runs things like they are a sole proprietor answerable only to themselves.
They do not observe the rules nor understand the true and proper role they should be playing.
vat will not produce any windfall of money for the treasury, aside maybe the fact that Tourists will be subject to it as well as residents.
Of course, their numbers may dwindle as we slide into first place in the Most expensive destination category.
It will take a few years to realize increased revenue if at all, but already we have all sorts of ideas on what to spend it on!
It aught to be for National debt reduction only.
The only plus is perhaps accountability for tax collection across the board,
which we are apparently really crappy at.
By the same token, accountability in the public sector is critical.