VAT community train hits the road

Friday, January 29, 2010 – The VAT (Value Added tax), Implementation Office public sensitization programme dubbed “The VAT Community Train” continues to move through communities this week. The public consultations are an integral part of the mandate of the VAT implementation office.

Late last year Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King reaffirmed government's commitment to implementing the VAT. Prime Minister King had then indicated that the date of implementation of the Value Added Tax in Saint Lucia, would be determined and announced once Cabinet had considered the report on the outcomes of discussions on the draft White Paper.

Chief Economic Analyst with the VAT Implementation Project Office, Fluer Simmons, says fourteen stakeholder groups were outlined for meetings and discussion.

“Thus far in January, the project has met with staff at the Victoria Hospital. We have also met with the vendors association, the Rastafari council, and telecommunications and public utility companies. We are taking the message about VAT to the communities. It is very important to ensure that all final consumers are aware of how VAT will affect their lives,” Simmons said.

The Value Added Tax is charged on the value of imports and on the value added on goods and services supplied by one business to another, or to final consumers. VAT is collected only by registered tax payers who meet the threshold.

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