Govt targets $20m-$50m boating industry boost
THE GOVERNMENT could generate between $20m-$50m in extra revenue from fully collecting all due cruising permit and yacht charter fees, the deputy prime minister said yesterday.
IAN FERGUSON: Addressing key workplace woes
More than 80 percent of Bahamian businesses do not have the benefit of on-staff human resources professionals.
Auto industry to 'pick up steam' through tax cut
Auto dealers yesterday said the industry is poised to “pick up steam” as a result of tax cuts that will give Bahamian consumers “more choice and better prices” from July 1.
Caution warning on 'lofty' 1% deficit goal
The government was yesterday urged not to get carried away over its “lofty” ambition to achieve “the lowest deficit ratio” for almost two decades in the upcoming 2019-2020 fiscal year.
'Don't throw away dollars for nickels': Vacation rentals eyed for $8m-$10m
The government is “conservatively” estimating it will realise between $8m-$10m per year from levying VAT on vacation rentals as it was warned not to “throw away dollars in going for nickels”.
DPM: The era of political favours is now finished
The deputy prime minister yesterday signalled a major shift in Bahamian culture by warning that the system of politically-based favours and patronage must come to an end.
Civil service salaries in $53m 'over-budget'
The government’s wage bill for the 2017-2018 fiscal year was over-budgeted by $53m because of non-existent persons on its payroll, the deputy prime minister revealed yesterday.
Furniture retailers gain budget boost
A well-know furniture and appliance retailer yesterday said duty cuts unveiled in yesterday’s budget will benefit Bahamian retailers “long term” and make them more price competitive.
Cruising permit rise 'push back' awaited
The Ministry of Finance’s top official yesterday said the government “feels comfortable” that the boating industry can absorb increased cruising permit rates despite marina concerns.
DPM places tax evaders on notice
The deputy prime minister yesterday warned tax cheats “who have been taking advantage of our inefficiencies” that they are a prime government target in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
Poor and financial sector lose out over tax inertia
The government has penalised both low income Bahamians and the financial industry’s competitiveness by failing to enact comprehensive tax reform, an opposition party argued yesterday.
Flexibility for business licences
The government yesterday inserted flexibility into the Business Licence regime by allowing companies to pick which quarter they file their returns and pay the fee.
Ex-trade chief: Stop WTO 'total disaster'
A former trade minister last night warned it will be a “total disaster” if The Bahamas joins the WTO, as he challenged the government to identify “the benefits for Bahamians”.
Tourism concern on BPL's Bimini blaze
BIMINI homeowners yesterday warned Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) has a “ten-day window” to fully restore the island’s generation capacity before the high tourism season kicks in again.
Bahamas' corporate tax world's most 'corrosive'
The Bahamas yesterday received no credit for laws said to have raised compliance costs by 75-80 percent after its corporate tax policies were rated as the world’s most “corrosive”.
