‘We’ll tackle any illegal web shops’
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel yesterday warned that any illegality in the gaming industry will be “vigorously addressed” by the government as he moved to address recent statements by gaming house operators that appeared to resonate as a threat of moving “underground” to escape impending tax increases.
McAlpine calls for income tax rather than VAT rise
OUTSPOKEN Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine yesterday ridiculed his government’s budget, telling parliamentarians it appears Free National Movement politicians have reneged on their words.
FNM chairman: Our budget will clear up PLP mess
FREE National Movement Chairman Carl Culmer has said the Minnis administration’s 2018-2019 budget will “solve” the “financial mess” left behind by the Progressive Liberal Party. There has been intense backlash to the government’s plan to raise the va
Minnis calm over political risk from tax rise
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis does not appear concerned about losing political capital because of raising VAT to 12 percent.“I have said before my job is to save the country,” Dr Minnis said yesterday when The Tribune asked him if he was worried hi
Electric bill exemption on VAT is raised to $200
THE value added tax exemption ceiling on electricity bills has been raised to $200, Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest revealed yesterday.The change will come into effect August 1.Last week he announced the ceiling would be $100, but the decision was
Turnquest: My company won't benefit from budget
DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest said it is “ridiculous” to believe removing customs duty on aeroplanes and helicopters will prompt him to now buy aircraft for his business.The government is removing customs duty on aeroplanes and helicopters in
Laing defends former FNM govt
FORMER Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing defended the fiscal performance of past Free National Movement administrations yesterday, knocking the Minnis administration’s narrative that its current fiscal consolidation measures are necessary
Chipman condemns his own party's plan to increase VAT
CENTERVILLE MP Reece Chipman tore into his party’s budget yesterday evening, fretting about the impact various fee increases will have on his constituents. He said he does not support the planned value added tax increase to 12 percent and lamented no
Minnis: Don’t spread rumours over Labour Day March tragedy
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday urged the public not to speculate or spread rumours concerning the Labour Day tragedy, underscoring the matter will be thoroughly investigated.
Rolle warns NIB contributions may rise in future
NATIONAL Insurance Minister Brensil Rolle yesterday suggested officials will have to make a judgement call at some point on whether to increase National Insurance Board contributions as the government struggles to balance a “tremendous” increase in b
Catastrophic Insurance to cost $3.4m
THE government’s policy from the Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facility will this year cost taxpayers $3.4m.Finance Minister Peter Turnquest made the announcement yesterday as he told MPs the government also plans to establish a disaster reli
Davis: Taxation will drive web shops underground
AS HE urged the government to revisit the proposed tax sliding scale for web shops, Opposition Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said increasing taxes on gaming house operators provides the incentive for the numbers business to return to the “underground”.
Breadbasket items list to include healthier goods
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands has promised more healthy changes are on the horizon for the breadbasket list - after wide public consultation.Dr Sands underscored the Minnis administration’s commitment to fully vetting proposed changes, adding they w
Foulkes: Keep MPs salaries as they are
MINISTER of Labour Dion Foulkes said the salaries for MPs should remain as they are until there is a substantial economic turnaround.
'We kept rise secret to avoid disruption'
DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said the government withheld its intention to increase value added tax until last week because it did not want to influence the consumer behaviour of Bahamians.People everywhere have lamen
