G.S.T. unit holds open house to prep for July 1st

You may be tired of hearing about it, and for many people the topic–to be truthful– is pretty boring. But that doesn’t change the fact that very soon the nine percent Sales Tax will be replaced by a new ten percent levy that looks a lot like our old friend called VAT. Alyssa Noble has more.

Alyssa Noble, Reporting
With only two weeks until implementation, the folks at the G.S.T. office hosted an Open House to help educate consumers and businesspeople alike.

Geraldine Davis, Coordinator for the G.S.T. Implementation Team
?The open house is a part of our publicity programme to make people aware, particularly the consumer of the G.S.T. Implementation is the first of July; we want everybody to know it?s coming on stream.?

And while the public has been focusing on G.S.T.?s effect on prices, officials are taking steps to ensure that the administrative side of the new tax is hassle free.

Geraldine Davis
?We?re doing the registration process. We are also doing the advisory visits, so if you are registered and you want to know what is your obligation as far as a registered person for the G.S.T. we are doing these advisory visits. As well we are doing education, telling the public about the G.S.T. How it works, how it?s going to impact on the prices and that sort of thing.?

According to participants at today?s open house, these services were greatly appreciated.

Lascelle Tillett, Owner S&L Tours
?Well we?re registered already. We will be paying the other taxes as everybody else and what happened is that we just wanted to make sure that we are doing things the right way and we came here and they were very helpful.?

Mary Allen, Store Manager of Premium Wines and Spirits
?Well I came here because I was confused. A lot of people come in the store and ask me how the prices will change or what about G.S.T., and I couldn?t really explain anything. I would just look at them and say, ?I?ll find out about it for you?. So I took the time out from work to come here and I?ve learned a lot about the G.S.T. I would just hear G.S.T., and to tell you the truth I didn?t know it was the General Sales Tax. And I think it?s pretty good.?

If you didn?t have a chance to get to the Open House today, not to worry, the staff is available to render assistance to anyone who needs it.

Kim Burgess, Sales Tax Officer
?You can always call or come into the office. We are here to help; we will not turn away anyone. If you have any questions, any concerns feel free to come into the office and we will be more than willing to help.?

Geraldine Davis
?We invite all the public, especially the consumers to come in and learn what the G.S.T. is all about, because they are the ones who are going to make a difference.?

Alyssa Noble reporting for News Five.

The G.S.T. office is located in the administration building on Mahogany Street. You can call at 222-5553 or email gst.unit@stx.gov.bz