NEVIS | Premier says no new taxes in upcoming year

BASSETERRE (CMC):

The premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley, has reassured residents that no new taxes will be introduced in the upcoming year.

He made the statement as he responded to questions at his his recent monthly press conference.

He explained that the Nevis Island Administration has maintained a consistent approach over the years by avoiding additional financial burdens on the local population.

“The posture that my government has taken over the years is that, where possible, we have sought to impose tax increases on goods or tax services on individuals who are outside the local population,” Brantley said.

He highlighted several measures previously implemented to boost government revenue without affecting Nevisians directly.

“I mention, for example, when we increased the Tourism Development Levy – that bites principally on visitors to the island. We have increased some charges at the Financial Services Registry. Those are not taxes but fees, and, to incorporate companies and to do various types of business here, we have increased those. By doing that, we have increased revenue without putting any burden on the people of Nevis. That has been going quite good.”

Brantley added that adjustments had already been made to hospital costs and water tariffs earlier in the year.

“So, we do not anticipate that there will be anything further in this new budget that is to come,” he said.