Taxes on the Agenda
The Territorial Council was scheduled to meet on October 30 to vote on the contents of a 42-page document containing 100 articles of proposed law, which if approved, would become effective January 1, 2008. At the forefront of everyone's concerns is, of course, the future of taxation on St Barth.
Taxes for Businesses It is proposed that businesses be taxed according to the number of employees as follows: 500 euros for businesses with up to four employees, 1000 euros for four to nine employees, 1500 euros for ten to 20 employees and 3000 euros for over 20 employees.
Visitors' Tax A tax of 5% is proposed to be added to all hotel and villa bills. A 5-euro airport and ferry tax is also being proposed.
Taxes on Vehicles Three taxes are being proposed regarding the owning and driving of vehicles. The first will affect everyone who has a driver's license for a vehicle to 125 Cm3 and is yet to be determined. The second is a 25-euro "tax on the certificates of registration" and applies to all registered vehicles, including scooters. The third is a renewal fee whose rate will vary according to the cubic capacity of the vehicle: 50 euros for two-wheeled vehicles lower or equal to 50 CM3, with 3000 euros for large trucks whose capacity exceeds 14 tons. A vehicle with an engine ranging between 7 and 10 horsepower will be taxed 150 euros.
Other Miscellaneous Taxes Also proposed is a tax on the bars, whose rate will be fixed according to the type of their license, and will not exceed 500 euros per year. The fuel tax will remain at 0.23 euros per liter. The tax on electricity would be increased by 2%.
What's up, St. Bart's? Too much riff raff infiltrating so everything getting bumped up? Bad enough the Euro exchange is poor as it is, the airfare getting more exorbitant, and now tax proposals too. I guess this is what is necessary in keeping the island exclusive...I am sure I am wrong about this, but it is getting a bit ridiculous. I mean, even if you can afford it, might you begin thinking you can buy better elsewhere? Or is this little island so unique the cost will never be a factor?
Posted by: Lorriepoo at November 17, 2007 2:38 PM