Government’s Christmas gift to Belize: no GST on ham, turkey and groceries

Published by BBNTEAM at December 9, 2024

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Posted: Monday, December 9, 2024. 9:32 am CST.

By Aaron Humes: For the entire Christmas and New Year’s period, the government of Belize has announced, general sales tax (GST) will not be levied on picnic shoulder hams, smoked ham legs, and imported turkeys; they will be zero-rated.

All goods subject to the 12.5 percent GST will be tax-exempt for the weekends before the Christmas holiday – December 14, 15, 21, and 22; 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 a statement, the Government issued a few clarifications and instructions. First, “The Christmas Waiver applies to immediate local retail purchases only, and not for items ordered, bought on credit, layaway or hire purchase or bought on a wholesale basis, or on consignment. Additionally, importers will still need to pay GST to Customs for imported goods. Purchases of motor vehicles, gasoline, LPG, diesel, firearms, ammunition, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages will not be eligible for the waiver. GST will also continue to apply to the taxable supply of services.”

Government explains that registrants for GST simply apply a 12.5 percent discount, zero-rating the goods bought at the point of sale system or programmble cash register. Those who utilize cash registers that add GST to the sale will not do so on the above dates. Sh

Shoppers are advised to check their receipts at the time of purchase to ensure GST is not incorrectly applied and to report any abuse to the Belize Tax Services Department.

When filing GST returns for December 2024, registrants are required to report zero-rated sales on line 110 and provide detailed sales data for the GST-free days. Input tax recovery for eligible goods remains unaffected.

This initiative underscores the Government’s commitment to provide impactful relief to combat global inflation which has adversely affected the cost of living while supporting our local businesses and economy.

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