Prime Minister Philip Davis during a tour of several neighborhood convenience stores in Fox Hill on March 27, 2025. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
By JADE RUSSELL
Tribune Staff Reporter
jrussell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis suggested yesterday that additional value added tax cuts could happen if Bahamians continue to support his government.
He made these comments amid the expected reduction of the value-added tax (VAT) rate from ten percent to five percent on certain unprepared food items starting April 1.
When asked by a reporter if there would be further VAT decreases with the general election approaching, Mr Davis replied: “We don’t know. It depends on our fiscal standing. The Bahamian people have been working with me in a more, an extraordinary way, and the reward for that work is my ability to cut VAT on food by five percent.”
“If we continue to work as we have been working together, likely cuts will be imminent.”
Hs also said that a robust inspection programme, led by Randy Rolle, head of the Consumer Protection Commission, has been visiting stores for several months and monitoring prices. The programme, he said, will ensure that Bahamians benefit from the reduced VAT on food items.
The VAT reduction was first announced in Mr Davis’s New Year’s address at the University of The Bahamas. He explained that the measure was intended to provide immediate relief to families struggling with rising prices.
The VAT cut applies to all food sold in food stores, including fresh produce, frozen items, baby food, and snacks, but excludes prepared foods in deli sections. The reduction also covers the importation of these goods.
Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard criticised the VAT reduction, calling it insufficient relief for Bahamians. In a statement, Mr Pintard pledged to resume efforts to exempt VAT on healthy foods if the FNM returns to power. He also reiterated the party’s long-standing calls to remove VAT from breadbasket items, medicines, and feminine hygiene products.
Comments
Sickened 5 days, 23 hours ago
Vote for me and I may reduce VAT??? ROFL. He's one of those micro circus clowns.
Where's the outfit????
whatsup 5 days, 22 hours ago
MAY????? The last VAT reduction made no difference to my lifestyle. REMOVE VAT COMPLETELY.....REMOVE PROPERTY TAX ON OUR HOMES, then I will consider your offer!!
tetelestai 5 days, 22 hours ago
Well, property tax is zero if your home is under a certain amount. And, if your home is above that threshold, then you need to pay property taxes. And yes, VAT needs to be removed - in favour of income tax.
Sickened 5 days, 20 hours ago
Income tax!?!?!?!?!? Mussy crazy. Giving this government any money is like paying a bride as most of it just goes into their pockets. And giving them some of my pay directly... NO WAY IN HELL!!!!! DON'T SUPPORT CRIMINALS!!!!!
ExposedU2C 5 days, 19 hours ago
I'm very much in your camp bro.
bahamianson 5 days, 21 hours ago
Ok , my King , I will back you. You seem so arrogant, though. Power attracts the worst and corrupts the best.
birdiestrachan 5 days, 21 hours ago
Big headlines then it becomes a suggestion. Mr Davis you are doing a great job. May the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob be your God and help you in all you do for the people.for your heart is with them
hrysippus 5 days, 20 hours ago
Hold on minute, was not Fillup one of them that burdened the Bahamas people with VAT a couple of administration ago?
ExposedU2C 5 days, 19 hours ago
Yup.
TalRussell 5 days, 18 hours ago
Many argue that governments are no different than a Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme because like Bernie they repay existing debt by issuing new debt, creating a cycle of borrowing. --- PLP pays interest not debt. -- Banks being "complicit" in govt' Ponzi/Pyramid scheme to fleece. -- The only difference is Madoff and Bankman both got sent to prison. -- Yes?
DreamerX 5 days, 17 hours ago
This is almost comical. It's starting to pick up a clear tone and it's disappointing.
jackbnimble 5 days, 16 hours ago
This is an election ploy. He wants a second term. I predict if he gets it, VAT will be go back up again.
Seaman 5 days, 16 hours ago
There will be no next term for him. Outside money will back another party. Watch da road.😉
TalRussell 5 days, 16 hours ago
Comrades what if....what you hearin' "Brave" Premiership say as “metaphorically speaking,” it probably means that you shouldn't take what he said as the literal truth but as more of an idea to fend off the main known of late has taken wearing trousers and outfit attires" colleague openly* eyeing repositioning where s%e seated around the cabinet table? -- Yes?
sheeprunner12 5 days, 3 hours ago
We are heading FURTHER down a dangerous path of national desperation, debt, and dictatorship.
Fillup (I like that one) is trying to trick/bribe Bahamians who are desperate for economic relief by dangling a VAT carrot before them in 2026.
We already see what Fillup has done since 2021. He cannot be allowed any more time to torment Bahamians with this New Day nightmare government. Vote them out.
Porcupine 5 days, 1 hour ago
100% agree. Problem is far too few people bother to read the paper. They just listen to the empty words of our criminal politicians.
ExposedU2C 4 days, 20 hours ago
The real problem is too many Bahamians are now unable to properly read and comprehend anything written thanks to decades of the very deliberate dumbing-down of our public education system by incompetent and corrupt politicians who very much desire an uneducated and undiscerning electorate lacking in critical thinking skills.
Such dumbed-down voters are all too easily manipulated, swayed, and hood-winked, as the unqualified, unfit, selfish and greedy politicians they foolishly vote for go about lining their own pockets by selling-off our nation and selling-out its people to their very wealthy cronies and financial backers.
Porcupine 4 days, 21 hours ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf7Sxl2…
TalRussell 4 days, 19 hours ago
Why there's just GOPs' 'rule of law'; -- is not to be trusted and that's regardless of how by the laws on the books you present and conduct yourself once physically on American soil; -- irrespective of colour, political, social class status; -- today's Grand Old Party cannot be trusted to follow book law nor immigration regulations. -- Trump & Vance's GOPs are their enforcers'. -- There's no need to guess who GOPs appointed judges will rule in favour of. -- Even Miami Florida's airport's immigration has a detaining's history having once held onto the freedom of a then Bahaman finance minister and his wife. -- Yes?
Porcupine 4 days, 18 hours ago
Just don't criticize Israel and you should be fine.
TalRussell 4 days, 17 hours ago
@ComradePorcpine, but it's the same GOPs' sending USA war planes to fly over settlements' to drop bombs on popoulaces' who's concept of Jesus and Allah differ. -- I said, differ. -- Got it? ---- Bombing under the direction of someone who should be getting help with substance use and not directing bombing raids. -- -- Just can't make this up. -- Yes?
Porcupine 4 days, 1 hour ago
Yup. I see it. Follow the money. Many are becoming billionaires selling these weapons. But, if you do your research, you will see beyond the curtains. Whom can you not criticize? That's who owns you. The Tribune can only offer so much intellectual insight. Hours a day are necessary. Yes, or no?
Porcupine 3 days, 19 hours ago
Who owns the GOP Tal? Simple question. Politicians are there for distraction. I understand differ. God is real, but religion is one big lie. Is that what you mean?
TalRussell 3 days, 18 hours ago
You know Comrade Porcpine, we seein' how even locally it's becoming harder to describe the diverse mixin'-up within the various religions; where it's okay to live this way; whilst forbidden by others. -- Which has created a mix-up of beliefs. -- Yes?
Observer 4 days, 17 hours ago
What he said is that the delinquent tax payers have now brought their accounts up to date and so the government does not have to borrow huge sums of money to float government's daily expenditure. Added to that, government's collection agencies are now more efficiently executing their responsibilities.Call it as it is and stop the mischief.
TalRussell 4 days, 16 hours ago
@ComradeObserver, as to the mischief observer you really might, might not be; --- so want to make sure you know there's different roles to be played by CollectionAgency and RevenueCollectionAgency -- Yes?
ExposedU2C 3 days, 23 hours ago
You must be kidding if you think for one moment the wealthy likes of our current and former corrupt politicians, Snake, King Sebas, and so on, have now paid the mega millions in taxes that they should have been paying over many, many, years. If this were indeed the case, government would not have had to borrow another $300 million + not too long ago thereby increasing the foreign currency denominated portion of our national debt.
And for you to suggest government departments and agencies are somehow suddenly more efficient simply because roly-poly Davis says so without you pointing out the obvious untruthfulness of his remarks is beyond the pale.
Engineer 4 days, 14 hours ago
Really. Something seriously wrong with this comment if accurate. Grand Bahama is burning as there is only one working firetruck. Two months G B fire department had no working fire trucks. Why??
TalRussell 4 days, 13 hours ago
@ComradeEngineer, few minds changed in two months G B fire department had no working fire trucks. -- Freeport's International Airport does not have the capability to track flight paths, meaning pilots are required to provide their distance, location, and altitude during approaches. -- So went the Bahamas Lighthouses'; so goes we Airports and Docks. -- Me has a restructuring proposal for Freeport but it's painful. -- Yes?
JokeyJack 3 days, 22 hours ago
So Pintard and Brave want to cut taxes so they can continue to have "no money" as an excuse to not fix potholes and school windows. Uhm. Ok. Don't worry though, the Bahamian people will vote one of them into power next year. They don't trust any other Party to "have the experience" to make their lives better. Uhm like these two have? LOL
TalRussell 3 days, 17 hours ago
@ComradeJokeyJack, up for sharing, exactly, what types election intelligence has you run across so as to tilted yourself to conclude; -- The votin' popoulaces' are fixated to votin' -- *one of them (meanin' "Brave" or Pintard) into power when the National Election bell (NE) is rung. -- Are there no, none whatsoever factors' to be votin' in a different direction -- Yes?
ExposedU2C 1 day, 21 hours ago
Your trollish silliness will be considered funny by you right up until the US government decides enough is enough, sends in a team of CIA operatives to finish off the destabilization of our nation by our corrupt politicians and their vulturous cronies, and then appoints a puppet dictator of their choosing to rule over the lives of Bahamians forced to live in abhorrent squalor for many decades to come. But you can take solace in knowing that would be a better outcome for us than being ruled over by the sinister and evil ChiComs that make you feel comfortable. You can "No or Yes" that harsh reality to your own liking!
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