Any hopes of having the Value Added Tax (VAT) reduced or removed totally, have been dashed.
Dominica”s finance minister and Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has announced that this will never be considered.
There have been public calls by sections of the business community for the Skerrit-led administration to either remove or reduce the VAT because of the global financial crisis.
However, he told a water commissioning ceremony moments ago, that government has no intention towards moving in that direction.
“I want to say to the certain groups and individuals who have been calling for the removal of VAT or exemption of VAT, they should not pursue that call if they are really interested in the well being of the country. If they want their government to be reckless and irresponsible, the consequences of these things can be detrimental to the well being of the country,” he said.
The prime minister has also urged his government colleagues not to entertain any such requests or even consider the removal of VAT since it would hurt the country financially.
“From where I sit, if we were to do any of those things, we would have to go back to a very stringent IMF program, make a series of cuts and we would be hurting far more than we are under a VAT regime,” Skerrit argued.
Skerrit also indicated that not even the government is exempt from the VAT.
“Government is the biggest contributor of VAT revenue because government itself is not exempt from any aspect of the VAT legislation. I am resolute on that and I am making this statement in the best interest of the whole of Dominica,” he added.
He said while it may be politically appealing to remove the VAT, “I am not in the business of destroying the country’s economical standing for political gain”.
Useful info. Lucky me I found your website accidentally, and I’m stunned why this coincidence did not came about in advance! I bookmarked it.
Mr PM, I think this topic is a distraction. Out of the blue you came up with this topic to distract us from what else is going on around the region. Take for instance the 2 votes of ‘No Confidence’ against the Grenadian Prime Minister, and off course the judgement in favor of the Nevis Opposition party for election petitions for which Mr. Astaphan represented the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and just lost that case. Please stop distracting us with your psychology.
People open your eyes.This man is just trying to build a smokescreen around the real issues. Somebody should ask him this. How many foreign investors have his government attracted since 2000?
VAT… only way this place can generate money, taxing an already over taxed country. Oh well. Pay yall taxes, I’ll go somewhere else to retire.
hmmm Lord help us i just want to know are u guys talking from experience or what u hearing because i think some body needs to educate us on what is really going on in this country cause for now i lost can some one put that in order tell us about the vat tax every thing as a young person i dont want to be a judge or follow up i want to know
Dread the reason why Dominica is levied with this VAT is because of the jacked up Accord the Ones at the head of this government made with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank,,,
According to sources VAT was proposed by a German Economist in 1918 and then reintroduced in France in 1954, it’s suppose to be a Tax on the portion of the added value to a commodity but the current administration took it to another level to make the common consumer be burdened with its repayment,,,
as it appears, VAT was introduced in DOMINICA and the other CARICOM countries to repay European Union for their contributions to the CARICOM region,,,
Does anyone know where to find the VAT agreement???
A value added tax (VAT) is a form of consumption tax. From the perspective of the buyer, it is a tax on the purchase price. From that of the seller, it is a tax only on the value added to a product, material, or service, from an accounting point of view, by this stage of its manufacture or distribution. The manufacturer remits to the government the difference between these two amounts, and retains the rest for themselves to offset the taxes they had previously paid on the inputs.
The value added to a product by a business is the sale price charged to its customer, minus the cost of materials and other taxable inputs. A Vat Is Like A Sales Tax In That Ultimately Only The End Consumer Is Taxed.
If such is the Case then I wonder why VAT is only implemented by a selective business participants,,,
I wish Skerrit would start charging Allyou VAT when allyou go buy Fish by d Bay, and all that stuff allyou buying at the Market,,,
The Vat can stay we control what we purchase, eat local and you will spend less Vat. But if he removes the PAYE and TAX on salary persons will have more spending powe which will increase the Vat revenue and improve the economy.Also allow Dominicans to work government loaned projects 50 to 50 instead of full foreigners. Try it PM lets see how it works.
so you think local produce is excluded from the vat
Well, I understand that taxes are the revenue earner of a government – it is indeed important. But 15% is a bit high, plus there is a PAYEE tax. It is really doubling taxation on the hard working Dominicans that just cannot see their way – savings are being depleted, the more you work the less ends meet – and I am not talking about living over your expenses – I am talking about meeting the basics for living (rent/mortgage, food, health insurance, school fees/books) clothing is always put at the back although this is equally important. It is really hard. The PM could at least consider reducting the VAT.
The PM is not a financial wiz – he studied psychology. More tax does not necessarily means better for the country! The fact is that 15% tax is really high. Easing up the tax can result in more disposable income, result in more economic activities, which could eventually result in growth and more revenue for the government. There has to be a limit with taxation – I think Dominica way pass that limit. Come up with other innovative ideas to generate income.
DNo, what have I done to you? What am I saying that is so wrong that you have to keep me in moderation everytime I comment on any given subject, especially when I am not in agreement with the PM? I was the firstone to write a comment on this subject and yet you have vetted and cleared 33 and mine is still in the dark room?
For the sake of fair and balance information, can you please let readers see what I wrote and let them judge to see if there is anything nasty or rude in my comment? If not then Why?
All I simply said was there was nothing wrong with the PM’s statement on VAT but he needs to learn to be more gentle, and respectful to those who may have different ideas such as the business groups. I went on to warn him of such attitude since 2 chronicles 10:1-9 tells us king Rehoboam, a one time well loved king of Israel, used very harsh words to those who asked him to make life a little easier for them. But because they had a different idea, the king was rough with them vs.13 and thus was the split of Israel as a nation. What’s wrong with that? I am reading some of the comments you are accepting and I cannot understand why mine is always rejected by you. Please let me know which word, phrase, sentence, or paragraph you do not like so I will avoid it to please you, But however, you are the one in charge and all I am asking is that you be fair to all.
My sympathies are with you Cool Running. I suffer the same damn thing.Sometimes they hold me in moderation for almost thirty six hours. I have already made it clear to DNP that it is the various comments, people are interested in, not the news as such. All the news media in Dominica carry the same news.IF you kept on messing up with the comments,you might find yourself struggling to survive like the DLP Government.
I have not seen any indication that the VAT collection is improving the quality of life for Dominicans. Almost every project that’s being done is contracted to Chinese contractors so the money is going right back to China. The Schools are in a terrible state and seemed abandoned. Unemployment is at an all-time high. So show me the economic benefits of VAT. The RED CLINIC must continue so he won’t even consider a reduction in the rate.
WHAT?!!!!!!!! That PM we have there needs to learn! We in DA have been suffering for a long time……when will he learn…people of Dominica open your eyes!!!!!!!!!!At least a reduction wouldv’e been great eh
dominicans are very wicked every where u go in the world in case some of u never traveled there is vat ok not sure who is benefiting but if there is some big event we see many going paying how much money next day all you hungry and blaming skerrit start investing and save your money wisely and stop blamjing skerrit for everything when you work you give vat why not tell your boses to remove the vat ah no because you all benefiting from it in pay checks month end or fort nightly will some one please make a better comment the more you blame skerrit the healthier and more popular he gets get a life for your selves and am no labourite but i mean vat is vat
@good child… Your ignorance and party political foolishness says it all.Go to the Red Clinic and beg, and stop spewing garbage… If you are so good, go give the evil regime Skerrit leads some good advise.
excuse you i do not need to go red clinic some of you criticize and you still go i work hard for every thing i have and some of you must start doing that some of you do not even know nothing about the country and any time an issue come up you just blah blah blah so i repeat get your selves a life did i say i liked vat no but it is something no one can remove it can be put to a lower amount yes but do not ask for ridiculous things when u go shows u pay right and skerrit do have nothing to do then is the next day when all u hungry is skerrit its time u be smart and think of bettering your life skerrit doing his do do yours
and its God Child who ever u are learn to read
You sound ignorant
@ good child .Good Child is your name…Are you a beggar? You sound and write like one. Can you go find a job? Laziness is the state Skerrit wants you to be in, because you will eventually go kneel to him with your hands stretched out for a dollar.He won’t give it to you if you do not clal him God though.Will you please stop the rubbish and go find something productive to do?
@god child oh shut up…you ignorant fool.we are in DA .so stop watching the other countries
There are many ways in which a Government generates revenue for a country, and imposing taxes is one of the most common. This is what runs the country and this is what pays Public Servants. I would rather the PM leave the VAT than make cuts in Jobs.
see how you shoot yourself in the foot already?” there are a lot of ways to generate revenue.” are your words so why just depend on taxation use it in conjunction with other methods to reduce the burden on nationals. smfh at some of you. your own words show that you are defending just for defending sake when you know better.
There is nothing wrong with VAT.
However having VAT and income tax is double taxation.
If income tax and PAYE is removed, then VAT as a consumption tax will continue to be the main revenue earner for govt, and people and eventually government will be able to breathe a little easier.
The problem is that the government lacks imagination. The idea that income tax and paye would be gone scares what passes for economists in the ministry because they start panicking about how the revenue gap will be closed.
That gap will be closed by increased business activity as Dominica markets itself as direct tax free destination.
They can even increase VAT to 20% once they do that.
You cannot tax a nation into prosperity. It has never happened in human history.
Wikipedia.org states that “A value added tax (VAT) is a form of consumption tax. From the perspective of the buyer, it is a tax on the purchase price. From that of the seller, it is a tax only on the value added to a product, material, or service, from an accounting point of view, by this stage of its manufacture or distribution. The manufacturer remits to the government the difference between these two amounts, and retains the rest for themselves to offset the taxes they had previously paid on the inputs.
The value added to a product by a business is the sale price charged to its customer, minus the cost of materials and other taxable inputs. A VAT is like a sales tax in that ultimately only the end consumer is taxed. It differs from the sales tax in that, with the latter, the tax is collected and remitted to the government only once, at the point of purchase by the end consumer. With the VAT, collections, remittances to the government, and credits for taxes already paid occur each time a business in the supply chain purchases products.” I still think that the government should curb the percentage handed down to consumers to at least 8-9%
Are the chinese businesses paying VAT?
tell it them my broda!
This regime has to take all you to HELL….Who cannot hear will feel.
Caval who told all you this Skerrit party could lead?
The businesses in Dominica have been enjoying the extra profit and now that they have to contribute towards the up keep of the country it is too hard for them. They would rather see the country go down than up once their pocket is swelling.
All other countries have to pay VAT why not Dominica. The prime minister should stick to his gun and never backdown on VAT. The elderly are now benefiting from it.
Why tax me so I can’t take care of my parents and I have to let you do it? That’s dumb. The elderly should never have to be ward of the state, just like children should not be. If the government has to take care of my parents I would be ashamed. Let people thrive and be able to do these things for themselves. These taxes like VAT where TAX is collected over and over are just to keep people down. This country is not producing… gifts and taxes… this is leading ot a begging state…
Good move skerro tax them high to keep dem poor then give dem handouts to make dem dependent on you, they must vote u.
removing VAT during this economic crisis would not be logical, however, romoving or reducing VAT on necessities like food and utilites would make sense given the situation. that said PM, this statement you are making is BS. Government should be concentrating on improvng and expanding the private sector. Tell me PM, What do you tell the people you cut to say to their familes who berely make ends as it is?
please consider that foodstuff should be coompletly free of taxes just 3 percent customs service charge…
and that would be enought to release the pressure of poverty
i would suggest you get an economics book, and study fiscal policies. govt must reduce taxes in recessionary periods to stimulate economic growth.
Why the debate re VAT?
The ecomony needs it. How else can the government generate much needed monies.
We in Dominica should stop and ask ourselves ‘what does the government use the monies received from VAT on. If there was no VAT how would Civil Servants get paid, what would happen to programmes like ‘Yes We Care’ etc.
I know I’ll get abuse on this one, but if some of the business in Dominica redesigned their premises (made them more appealing), stopped trying to sell the same tat/out of date proucts/stocked more local proucts at affordable prices, they will have a better chance of improving their profit margin.
No VAT certainly means that the government will have to come up with another way (apart from more begging) of keeping the country afloat.
You seem to be fed up with yourself as your name so aptly demonstrates.I don’t think that the issue is no VAT, it is more VAT exemption on certain items.Are you a small or medium sized business owner? I am sure not.So political nonsense as you are, need to listen before you speak, because you are absolutely clueless about the subject matter.
I wonder how we were doing much better pre labor party when there was no VAT.
oh shut up….a country like dominica doesnt need vat right now….what he needs to is to provide more jobs for the people.not place them in an economic crisis1
How do you generate funding for Public Sector expenditure Positive Vibes???? Whilst it is true that more jobs need to be provided, can someone pay others without generating the money? So we do not need vatt right now point taken then what suggestions do you have to raise funding for the State. No vat so what then??
the questions you are asking and your point of view is exactly the tunnel vision that exist in Dominica. we need a larger private sector, n higher taxes will not encourage that.
if we gad a larger private sector, govt revenue would be of no issue. we would have higher employment in higher income taxes revenues. Income tax revenues should be the largest pie, not consumption taxes…
Garçon allyou doh ready yet yeah,,,
Arguably Speaking the American Revolution was started because of the Stamp Act “A Tax”,,,
When heads of the East India Company decided they wanted to tax dem people in the colonies as they claim those colonist owed the Crown for some benefit when they didn’t,,,
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation”
This is an excerpt from the writings of the Constitutors of the thirteen original States of United States of America,,,
In that case. Mr .skerrit should provide the public with proof that the government(not just as a whole. But individual government officials starting with him) pays v.a.t
dominicans are so hard of hearing and so difficult to understand! EVERYONE PAYS VAT! NO ONE IS EXEMPT FROM PAYING VAT!its everywhere! the only thing that can be removed is duty! my GOD! government officials do pay vat! they buy groceries, the visit the doctor etc..they pay VAT! wat proof u want? dere whitchurch receipts? stuuups tan! zor pah ni enyeh pou di!
first of all the chinese dont pay vat and the vat is a compounded tax which is illeagal in my view. the duty is at the lowest since i can remmember, i am a customs broker i know. and some friends of the government do not pay vat on certain items when they get their import and vat waived… on cars and household items which have higher duties than foodstuff and clothing
So does that mean that when Hon. PM Skerritt and the other government ministers go to the store the store keeper minus the V.A.T from the price of the merchandise just for them?! You don’t say
and duh he pays vat what u mean he is the prime minister but he does not own the companies in the country so he pays like each and every one of us thats such a dumb statement
The PM Meant what he said… If you don’t like it Vote UWP next time.
well tell him doh spend 22million like de last time… doh pay for people to come and vote
Mr. PM, you do not want to remove the VAT or some of it, but mr. PM DE VAT will remove you!
Your children belly hurting them and you know what will happen after.
That’s why we need a new PM; one who will understand the struggles of the “average joe,” and make the necessary changes to better their lives. I just can’t understand how these world leaders sleep at night, or go to church on sats and sundays, yet, continue to tax poor people!
so what’s happening to the money collected..our roads are in a terrible condition…where is public works department???
Its been years now that public works department has been dissolved. What now exists is the Public Works Corporation
But she did not pay VAT on the black SUV that how bias some of them are in the govt.
@ Karl…. I LIKE THAT ONE…Only in Dominica…A failed country.
dats a lie!she couldnt have not paid VAT! and the ppl spreading this viscious rumour will pay for their tongues one day! she didnt pay DUTY…and most dominicans with vehicles enjoy this incentive! and So wat! stuuupppppssss!ppl are intitled to duty free by simply applying if u get it tehn u get it , if u cant then u cant…y’all especialluy the government worker….wat allu see on paper should remain on paper and not twisted for gossip sake! ministry of finance have a bunch of blabber mouth with bb but doe worrry
Even if the government remove the VAT the majority of those shop keepers will still keep their merchandise at the same price as it was when the VAT was included.
my brother increase the ting to 20% nuh soouplay
i agree wit u 100%…if he stay in office after 20% i want him to jump straight to 40%!!!! Dominicien toe sot….sah noo tapay noo nee poo pour!
the country need vat to make it
Dominica must take that and more in their behinds. The only person benefitting from VAT is you Roosevelt Skerrit, no one else. You’re impoverishing Dominicans to later feed them through red clinic. This VAT has crippled Dominica and this man is bent on continuing to impose VAT. Every little top up you do, so much has to be deducted, every dollar you spend, Roosevelt Skerrit wants his cut from it. Businesses are hurting, Dominicans are hurting, but we must feel in order to learn from our mistake.
We are still at the mercy of the VAT because the government has done nothing to remedy our economic situation for Thirteen (13)years. The lies and deception continues as the very same man who wanted the demise of Pierre Charles and criticized Pierro for the VAT.
Totally agree with underdog. When businesses shut their doors because they can’t operate profitably then the PM and Dominica will see the value of VAT.
Where is my comment?
no one is asking for the complete removal of vat since we all understand that taxation is necessary to implement government programs, pay bills etc. however i think that it is insensitive to not even consider how we can reduce the vat on essential services such as electricity and water as well as essential food commodities such as flour, rice, certain meat products etc. this could be achieved by raising the rate on non essentials such as alcohol and tobacco products and high sugar and fatty foods. this would serve to improve the health of the population and also ensure that the dietary requirements of citizens are met. i dare say it may even serve as an incentive for local production to increase in regards to agriculture and industry(if busta price increases then locally produced juices may be more competitive)
less we forget i can seem to remember a “100 promises in a 100 days” which would have included a reduction in the price of some of the commodities mentioned earlier. they really say that a promise is a comfort to a fool which i think that the majority of dominicans seem to be since we keep on allowing these things to go unheeded. everybody forget dem promises skerro make wi already hnnnn not me. you can fool some people sometimes but you can’t fool all the people all the time. the only ones benefiting are the already rich while the poor continue to suffer. is so you love us dere na???
All over the world there’s a global finiancial crisis, but still Govt’s workers are asking for an increase in wages. In the big countries businesses are closing down, people are loosing their jobs, people cant pay their mortgage, by this they are loosing their houses, some of these people even gone as far as commiting suicide. In Dominica its business as usual, there are no cut backs in wages, people are able to pay their mortgage, if the Govt were to remove the VAT, they would deffinitly have to go to the IMF. The Vat is keeping DA, affloat. Dominica , hardly exports anything in comparison with the 70’s and 80’s. Without the VAT DA will be no where. In some islands and countries the VAT is even higher than the 15% we are paying
The Freedom party governed the country successfuly for fifteen years,their was no vat.The UWP governed the country for four and half years,their was no vat.One might say that immediately after the UWP left Government,the DLP Government had to take stringent measures to prevent, what the DLP say were reckless and irresponsible management by the UWP.What we are not told is that the UWP only lasted four and
a half years and all the long term plans which were being put in place were discontinued by the DLP.For instance,see where the creole festival has taken us. The stadium should have been a muti purpose stadium to facilitate sports tourism.The international airport,the rehabilitation of the banana industry along with a proper network of feeder roads, the modernization of the aerial tram to name a few. Had all these progames been implemented ,their would have been no need for any vat.
please mr skerrit, leave the vat but look into what is happening at the port when we collect stuff. i understand that some people have friends, family at the port who will help them. yesterday i was asked to pay $260 for one box while another man infront of me paid the white-house $60 for three boxes. he collected his stuff right infront of me and there is no way my one box could match those three boxes. when i spoke he said that ‘he know people that know people’
isn’t the port/house/customs run by the government?
why aren’t we treated as equals and operate on level playing field?
i know some people will be inclined to ask what was in my box, i can assure you that my box didnot contain gold. i had basic grocery items like most other people,no clothes or expensive items.
mr PM we need a relief!
your one box maybe had gold and de man three boxes had feathers…
when you make a statement like that and you cannot say what de man had in comparism to what you had including the weight, because more weight bigger freight then more you pay then, you are the EPITOME of an IDIOT
Brother man i’m not one of your supporters but i am in total agreement with you.Are these people who are calling for the removal of the vat serious? Or is it soley for political mileage? Some i suspect are only trying to stir up political strife.My question to the people who are calling for the removal of the VAT. With what will you replace it? I’m awaiting your answers.
the goverment should create wealth and properity,,not stifel it i know of countries which are tax free and succesful if the goverment continues to pay bills on the backs of the stuggling majority then nothing will change,,,tax is important but lets deal with a wealth tax and let the average dominican live
I’m very happy to hear this… I commend you Mr. Prime Minister…
WOW! We must be all alone in the universe. DNO are you sure this is the same Skerrit who rediculed the Late Hon. Prime Minister Pierre Charles? The Late Prime Miniter took a beating over the VAT. Today I have to laugh. it must be AM in the PM
AM NOT A LAB0RITE BUT AM IN AGREEMENT WITH THE PM
Mr PM are you interested in the well being of the poor and struggling people who placed you in the position in which you are? The business community aside, the poor people are at the receiving end of hell,and i can attest to the fact that many are calling for a reduction or exemption from VAT on certain items, Mr PM, not on all items Sir. Many of these people cannot make ends meet, reason why in Dominica today,there is so much begging going on,rampant prostitution during the day and night, and a million other vices. What some of these poor people cannot buy are WHAT WOULD BE CONTAINED IN A TYPICAL BASKET OF COMMODITIES.The basic commodities like rice, flour, sugar, oil, cocoa,washing powder,pig snout,back&necks,bread,biscuit,beans, milk, etc.This is what the poor MAL A WAY I believe is asking to be exempted from VAT, not everything.I have never heard them ask for VAT to be removed on everything. But then maybe they are asking for too much from an insensitive regime, because to understand the plight of the poor, one cannot be riding on a high horse, milking the cow and enjoying the milk,yogurt,cheese,milk shake,chocolate,omelet, etc,…You have to be on the ground on a “CAR BOO WAY” to understand the poor peoples plight.
True labour stalwarts of the past would find a way of easing off this level of poverty not by Red Clinic or Slave Clinic, i hasten to add. Compounded with the poverty is rampant unemployment among mainly the Red supporters.But who cares? “””””You are what you are today because of this Labour Party”””””Remember the St Joseph Declaration? So Very True!
For the business community,especially the local entrepreneurs, i feel for you all, and all level headed Dominicans should, because if small local businesses continue to shut down,due to their inabilityto compete,trust me in the near near near future every single business in Roseau will be owned by Chinese and Chinese alone.Who cares?
“REMEMBER ME THE MAL A WAY” Remember that calypso?
Before making these comments on exemption please do your research. some of the items that you mentioned are already exempt from vat and certain import duties. alot of the prices that we complain are to high cannot be controlled by the government. Dominica has very limited control of the price of alot of the food items that we purchase. These prices are determined by the global suppliers from whom we purchase these items. Now please dont take my comments as politically motivated. I used to feel the same way until i got into a positon where i had to deal with these suppliers and you see the price increases that are forced on you and have no choice but to pass on to the consumers. Now in regards to the chineese once their business practices are fair what are the complaints. I do not believe that they should be given any extra benefits but if they want to come let them come. we need the extra population to survive.. now i will take my blows from those who want to make my statement political
Lol how cocoa and pig snout end up as basic commodities???
PM yu must learn to tell dem feallahs dat mad to take a long walk on a short bridge. this is a ploy to destroy your income hurt yu in the pocket an bam yu cannot carry out the services, then Bam they say yu inept an mad. tell dem PM go take a long walk on a short bridge. you have already given more than five thousand of dem duty free on their Vehicles they imported themselves. . wicked they wicked.
dont worry peter they still wont continue to buy those disposible hyundai you selling. you doh see hyundai GA giving problems
Vat is the most secure source of operational revenue, why would any government want to give it up. It does not take a financial wiz to figure that out and the minister of finance is no exception
they dont have to give up vat but to zero rate things like food, medicine, suppliments, certain types of clothing and shoes… so man would not have to break open my house for the third time this year and steal all my clothes, shoes and foodstuff.
That’s true Mr.PM. I totally agree with ur decision.
“regime ” a word closely associated with tyrants
well said mr prime ministerstick to ur work. all over the world vat is exsisting dont let them turn you arround. Good job.
Why does the PM always have to be involved in a war of words with his people? He needs to learn to be more tactful, respectful, and able to communicate with his people.
If certain groups of the business sector (not the opposition this time)are asking for a reduction or removal of VAT, I find the words the pM used were very rude and reminds me of the days of the plantation when slave masters abused our forefathers.
” I want to say to the certain groups and individuals who have been calling for the removal of VAT…they should not pursue that call if they are really interested in the well being of their country. If they want their government to be reckless and irresponsible, the consequencies of these things can be detrimental to the well being of the country.” Very harsh and rude words indeed!
All he had to say is, guys I feel you and I know it’s hard for you. However, if we were to remove it the consequencies would hurt us even more.
I mean what does it take from a leader to let all of his people know that he feels their pain and will do what it takes to assist them?
FYI mr PM, it was this kind of attitude that brought about the downfall of King Rehoboam and a split of Israel in the O.T 2 Chronicles 10:1-19. I know you are surrounded by men who are supposed to be men of God, I hope they take their time to exort you against such rude and stinky attitude.
That is the Dominican way. Of all,yes all, Dominica’s Prime Ministers, the present one’s behavior, demeanor, and style is most typical of the average Dominican. It is in the culture.
government need de vat to get fat
I love my pm 
BUT MOST COUNTRIES HAVE VAT OR SOME FORM OF TAX. dominicans need to consider their needs instead of just spending their little money on their wants and wanting to go to every shhow and buy suv . in other words hanging their hat where their hands cannot reach.
check those countries salary scale and that would be a fear comparism
check the salry scale of the country with vat
Government needs their money, lol. Put it higher i say!
Re: “Government is the biggest contributor of VAT revenue because government itself is not exempt from any aspect of the VAT legislation. I am resolute on that and I am making this statement in the best interest of the whole of Dominica,”
Huh???? So the Gov spends money that was paid by us including 15% VAT and that money goes back to whom? WTF…they just taking from one pocket to put into another.
Someone please explain what I’m missing here. No net gain in revenue, only the opportunity to “redistribute” to their liking.
dont worry about those technical technicallity… the government dont pay vat they do the tariff with the vat figure, but they do not send a check to pay customs the just use a document called a journal voucher, its like on paper but no actual cash is paid… DONT MAKE THEM FOOL YOU OR EVEN TRY TO SCHOOL YOU, CAUSE YOU KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG… lying bastards