WHAT'S ON

Article from www.antiguaobserver.com

Shoppers will enjoy a reduction in ABST for three days, starting Friday, December 16 to Sunday December 18.

Prices at Antigua Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) registered businesses will be slashed at the point of sale transactions.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Lennox Weston said on state media, “The ABST will be reduced from 15 per cent to 5 per cent. It will be on all material goods, so whether you are buying a sheet set or furniture, curtains, car or you are buying a fridge, carpet or tiles, this is the Government of Antigua & Barbuda giving back to the people to make sure their Christmas is special.”

The reduction will apply to all types of goods sold during the period from 12:01 am on December 16 to midnight on December 18. The reduction will apply to goods, but not to services.

Shoppers hoping to purchase items for Christmas usually anticipate the discount period, which was first started in 2012 under the previous administration.

Meanwhile, Weston also said public servants will not have to wait until January 31 to recover from the Christmas shopping.

“Now giving you your money early in December we now have to pay you early in January. So I am going to go on record to promise that you will be paid by the 20th of January next year, so that the pain of waiting lessens a little bit. That does not mean you should overspend and leave yourself hungry, because you are going to have to send your children back to school,” he added.

Shoppers look forward to the tax break, especially to purchase vehicles and other big ticket tickets. In the past the bank and other lending agencies made special arrangements to accommodate customers.