BASSETERRE, St. Kitts –A slow start has not hampered the progress made by the Tax Reform Unit in educating businesses and consumers on the introduction of a Value Added Tax (VAT), and almost thirty groups have already benefited from the VAT public education process.
Within the last month alone, the VAT team has rolled out its public awareness campaign through communities in both islands. Town hall meetings on VAT have been held in Newtown, St. Pauls, Challengers, Keys and Estridge as well as in Gingerland and at the Nevis Cultural Centre.
The National Stakeholders’ Consultation on VAT, held on May 6, also served as a platform from which various private sector groupings were targetted.
The team has been able to raise the interest of many, but it was noted that the town hall meetings have not been seeing the expected large turnouts.
“The feedback has been going quite well. It is evident that there is a keen interest as to what is VAT, how it will affect each consumer in St. Kitts-Nevis and what persons’ rights, responsibilities are,” Senior Tax Inspector and Public Relations Officer Sonia Boddie told SKNVibes.
“Our major concern is that persons are not attending. I know generally in St. Kitts people do not like to attend town hall meetings, but we expect more persons to turn out to these meetings. There are persons who are actually showing interest, they are calling daily as a question comes to mind, but I think the average citizen really needs to play a more active role.”
Some of the major points of discussion, as outlined by Boddie, are the rate of taxation, an extension of the VAT November 1 deadline and the transition into the new tax regime.
Stakeholders have been assured that government is willing to provide the necessary assistance to ensure a seamless transition.
Social, religious and community groups, including Jaycees and CIPEO, have already met with the VAT team to learn more about the new consumption tax and many others are joining the train by placing requests for community meetings.
Boddie made clear her optimism for a successful education campaign in the upcoming months.
“We have a very prepared staff and we are determined to go to the lengths and breadths of St. Kitts-Nevis, whether by television, radio or by foot. It’s not impossible; it’s just for us as Kittitians and Nevisians to take the initiative upon ourselves to really reach out to the information that’s there and to question things if they do not understand,” she noted.
Members of the public are asked to participate in the “inclusive process” as suggestions and recommendations gathered at that level will guide the legislation of VAT. Boddie encouraged persons to share information so that every consumer can be made wise regarding the new tax.
The VAT public awareness campaign is scheduled to continue this week. Find more information on this schedule at www.sknvat.com and attend the town hall meeting near you. Groups are also welcomed to request a meeting with the VAT team or simply contact the office at (869) 467 1931.
