General Sales Tax

The government has announced that on December 14th, 15th, 21st, and 22nd, local retail purchases will be exempt from the 12.5% General Sales Tax (GST). This exemption applies to goods purchased at grocery stores, supermarkets, hardware stores, and convenience stores. However, certain items, such as alcoholic beverages, vehicles, cigarettes, and gasoline, will not be exempt from the GST. Customers are encouraged to check their receipts to ensure they are not incorrectly charged. Establishments that violate this tax exemption on the specified dates will face penalties.

The Government of Belize announces that, for the first time, General Sales Tax (GST) will be waived on local retail sales of ALL standard-rated goods on December 14, 15, 21, and 22, 2024, subject to certain exceptions. On these days, Belizeans can purchase goods in shops and stores across the country without having to pay the 12.5% tax usually applied to most purchases. In addition, for the entire month of December, picnic shoulder hams, smoked ham legs, and imported turkeys will be zero-rated.

A new and improved way to pay taxes is being introduced by the Belize Tax Service Department (BTSD) to allow online payments and better control of tax profiles and accounts. Many taxpayers paying Business, General Sales, and Income tax, among others, will be able to do so in a more organized and efficient way. The new system is set to start in August and will allow taxpayers to access their accounts and other e-services from anywhere in the world. As such, the BTSD is asking businesses to update their account information via applicable forms e-mailed to them. This information is to be e-mailed back to [email protected] by May 7, 2021.

Business owners across Belize are feeling the COVID-19 pandemic financial pinch, which has paralyzed economies around the world. With the tourism industry all but gone on Ambergris Caye, many islanders who are now without jobs are getting assistance with donated meals and groceries. At the same time, other employers have kept their staff on payroll, despite the absence of business. This expense is taking a toll, and in order to continue doing so, stakeholders on the island are appealing to the Government of Belize (GOB) for tax relief. In a letter from members of the San Pedro Branch of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (SP BTIA) addressed to Prime Minister Right Honourable Dean Barrow, they proposed that they are allowed to apply General Sales Tax (GST) and business taxes to pay their staff instead of giving the collected funds to the GOB, which are scheduled to be paid to the government on April 15, 2020.

To ensure the Government of Belize (GOB) has enough funds to cover their bills, Prime Minister Dean Barrow presented a bill to the House of Representative to amend the General Sales Tax (GST) Act. The amendment would see local tour operators not being able to collect their tax refunds as dictated by the law.

With the 6.24% electricity price increase, and the 2017-2018 budget-approved GST threshold at $100, Belizeans may be facing up to a 18.74% hike in their bill.

Reports of the alleged manipulation of General Sales Tax (GST) audit results by the senior management of that Governmental Department have been denied by the Ministry of Finance.

The current financial hardships Belize is experiencing has caused the country’s economy to plunge, but PM Dean Barrow is confident we will recover.