Two weekends of ABST relief in December

The “fake” dates for Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) relief circulating since last week, have turned out to be almost spot on, based on a release issued by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) Thursday.
The reduction of the ABST from 15 percent to 5 percent will span two weekends in December – 14 to 16 and 21to 23 – according to the IRD.
The initial dates released by unknown sources and labelled “made up” by the government’s Chief of Staff Lionel “Max” Hurst on Sunday, had the first weekend running from the December 14 to 17.
Even though the government has approved the concession, “businesses can choose whether to participate” in offering the 10 percent reduction on goods. Services will attract the full ABST.
Ralph Warner, Commissioner of the IRD told us yesterday that while almost every business offered the reduced rate, “a few businesses did not get a chance to make the adjustment to their cash register software, so they did not participate in 2017.”
The tax break, which began in 2012 under the United Progressive Party administration, is highly-anticipated every year especially by residents who wish to buy big ticket items such as vehicles and appliances.