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Thursday, July 30, 2020

Plans for VAT holiday being finalized

The government is finalizing plans for the value-added tax (VAT) holiday which was slated to take place over a two-week period next month.

The government was initially eyeing the first two weeks of August for the tax break, jumpstarting the busy back-to-school shopping period.

However, with a second surge in COVID-19 cases and most schools pushing their opening dates back, the time of the VAT holiday has changed.

“The government is still planning on going forward with the holiday. It’s just that we’re finalizing plans. The rules and guidelines remain the same, but the timing of it has not yet been set because obviously we’re waiting on the Ministry of Education and some of the private schools,” Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson told Guardian Business yesterday.

“As we get the time firmed up probably within the next week or so, or shortly thereafter you’ll get an announcement. The government is still committed to doing the VAT holiday at this time.”

The initiative allows for the removal of taxes on school supplies, clothing and select food items for the two weeks leading to the reopening of schools. It was touted as being able to provide millions of dollars in savings in aggregate for parents across the country, as they prepare students to return to school.

The tax exemption only applies to items that are bought inside the country and not those that are imported.

The post Plans for VAT holiday being finalized appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.



source https://thenassauguardian.com/2020/07/30/plans-for-vat-holiday-being-finalized/

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