I agree completely with both comments above. In addition, I would point out that the proposal from the CFRT seems to be void of any taxes on services.

Services are what the govt is aiming to tax - because people providing these elements of the economy are getting off scott-free.

In addition (much like the Govt's VAT) it declines to tax the poor.

While it may seem heartless, I would point out that the poor are always getting away with financial "murder". They get duty free bread-basket items and baby-making supplies (baby food and diapers, etc) and govt subsidized (highly) medical care. If you WANT to increase the number of poor people in the country, this sounds like the best way to do it.

In addition to the simple economic theft and drive toward making more poor people - there is also the effect of making these people live "outside" of the society at large. In other words, because they do not contribute then they play a lesser role and feel less of an attachment and share no concern for society at large. It is an "us vs them" mentality.

Policies should be designed to raise people up - not just give them basic food necessities to keep them alive while all the while creating an atmosphere of family expansion (paid for) that keeps them down. Notice how the VAT will not be applied to the public bus service. While I agree with that small exception - I just want to point out how it basically says "We won't disturb you poor people - keep riding on the bus and stay in a state where you can't afford a car. We don't mind that because of that you don't pay gasoline tax - just keep staying poor so you can do all the menial jobs that we don't want to do. Oh, and be sure to have plenty children to grow up and be slaves working for our children."

If they do not feel any responsibility for society's problems (ie. our debt) because they don't have to pay for it - then why should they change? They can just say "Hey, that's not our problem." and carry on just as before.

I strongly suggest that the VAT be applied to ALL food and water products.

I just finished reading most of the Act and stumbled upon this part ...

section 75(2) - a taxable person must maintain records by electronic means including, but not limited to, the use of --
(a) such electronic tills or point of sale systems as may be approved by the VAT Commissioner; and
(b) computerized accounting systems as approved by the VAT Commissioner.

does this mean that Bahamians will be forced to purchase certain systems "approved" by the VAT Commissioner without any particular approval or disapproval rules/guidelines (just like how work permits are approved or denied in Immigration where there are no rules as to how you can qualify or fail to qualify) ????????????

Have they simply not yet prepared the list of requirements that a POS or Accounting system must comply with - so that programs can begin to be developed by Bahamian programmers?

Or do they have certain companies in mind that they will "approve" so that they can "get their cut" ?

Or do they just think (like in most other arenas as they think) that Bahamians are too stupid to make computer programs and so must be given particular solutions that they must purchase and simply obey like idiots?

I know the answer is probably option 3 - but was hoping to hear from others on here what they think is BEHIND that particular regulation.

I wonder it there is a loophole in the new Sexual Predators Act being debated in the House right now - that if you are selling your daughter into sexual service to help pay your BEC bill then that is ok and you won't be prosecuted ?

I mean, why not ? Nothing seems too good or enough for our BEC people - they are clearly more important than "ordinary" Bahamians.

This "agreement" to not pay xmas bonus next year means nothing if it remains written in their Contract / Industrial Agreement. Unless that is changed it's just talk - cause next year they will say the same thing - "It's in our Contract" - and it will be.

Immigration should require all new illegal immigrants that are let out of the fence to work 100 hours for the Salvation Army before they get their Bahamian passports - not just give them to them as they pass through the gate.

That's what you say - but do you still put money in the plate? If you do, then you are supporting the ongoing power that the Pharisees and Scribes have over Herod. It's been that way a long time. And Jesus was not the only one to suffer because of it.

I believe the VAT is good in that it will ensure that all the free-loaders have to pay something. The so-called "poor" are always exempt from paying anything. If the Government does not turn fool enough to exempt the price-controlled food items from VAT then at least the "poor" will have to contribute to all the free clinics and free schools they attend. It will also give them less money to send abroad through various means.

The overhead to us of a mass of "poor" people breeding like rabbits and contributing nothing to the tax base is what is killing us and causing debt.

I'm sure all the illegal immigrants are just hating the VAT - and the churches are probably hating it too because it means less money "in the plate" for them to buy more cement blocks.

However, it will be more money for the government to buy cement blocks to build schools and training centers and blood pressure medication for the elderly and things for people with legitimate needs.

I hope they listen to James Smith and implement it at 7.5% or even 10%, and do it on schedule.

The alternative to vat is a reduction in the value of our currency. Imagine if our dollar suddenly became worth only 75 cents in US$ ? ? ? That means anything you want from Miami for $100 will cost you $133. That's a 33% VAT - so to speak. I think 10% or 15% is much much better. We won't get to choose when our dollar is devalued - that decision will be made by the IMF as soon as they run out of patience.

Either way we are going to pay - because we just keep needing to spend. It is time to pay the piper for all those duty-free diapers and baby food we been gettin and the operating costs of the 24-hour delivery room at PMH.

Correct. The people who work without paying NIB, the people who only buy bread-basket items, and the people who send their money out of the country - are all HATING the VAT - because they know that more of their money will have to go to the government to help pay for the free clinics and free schools that they attend.

Correct. The people who work without paying NIB, the people who only buy bread-basket items, and the people who send their money out of the country - are all HATING the VAT - because they know that more of their money will have to go to the government to help pay for the free clinics and free schools that they attend.

People keep crying over the "poor". The "poor" are people who consume everything, create nothing, and breed like there's no tomorrow. They have 7 children and 35 grandchildren to look after them in their old age. What do you have? You wanna pay for their excess? I don't.

That's why I support a VAT of 10% - and even 15% if that's my only choice. I just hope they don't exempt bread-basket items from it, so those people can't get a free ride on our backs yet again.

I don't see anybody standing in soup lines in Nassau. WHERE are these so-called "poor" people? Tell me what street the soup line is on so I can go and see them with my own eyes.

Bismark - correct. I guess I picked on one group by mentioning turkey wings - LOL - but it is not just one group. It doesn't matter what nationality the illegal is - if he/she is here taking away jobs, money, and social services from a Bahamian then they need to GO. You can't take your child to the doctor anymore, unless you go and sit down in the waiting room the week before you get sick - so your number will be called by the time you do get sick.