From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Finance Ministry to hold first public forum on VAT
By Gena Gibbs, BIS
Nov 12, 2013 - 9:54:13 AM
Nassau, The Bahamas -- The Ministry
of Finance invites the public to attend its first public forum on the
Value Added Tax (VAT) implementation at the Workers House on Tonique
Williams-Darling Highway on Thursday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m.
State Minister for Finance Michael
Halkitis said the new tax reform will provide the revenue the government
needs to reverse the economic situation to one with a reduced debt servicing
ratio.
“The Bahamas is at a very important
junction in its economic history and has come to the realisation that
while the current tax environment has worked to the benefit of our country
in the past, if steps are not taken now to make the necessary adjustments
to improve the efficiency of revenue collection, our fiscal stance will
be significantly worsened in the very near future,” said Minister
Halkitis.
“We face debt levels cascading
to unsustainable levels, credit ratings downgrades, and the need for
much severe tax increases and reductions in spending if we do not act
now to reverse the trend. When considering these options, it has become
clear that broadening the tax base to allow more sections of the economy
to be taxed at a low and consistent rate is the most prudent course of
action."
Halkitis explains how VAT saves the Bahamian Economy
© Copyright 2013 by thebahamasweekly.com -