‘Tis the season to be Taxed!

Party goers all around Jamaica groaned in despair when they heard the bells ringing.  No, not the sleigh bells, the bells on the cash register, as they added yet another tax.                                                                     

Effective December 1, 2010 there was an increase of 400 % to the taxes paid on some alcoholic beverages. 

So what impact will this have on the average consumer?  Well it means digging a little deeper in your pockets this season and maybe downsizing some recipes that include alcohol, such as excluding rum from the traditional sorrel drink. 

 What about the wider picture? 

It’s hard to ignore the cries of the hoteliers who have protested at the impact the tax hike will have on tourism.  New taxes might not be the best way to attract new investors to the tourism industry! 

What do you think about the new taxes? Click here to read full article http://mobile.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101213/lead/lead1.php

 Teri Ann Renee Paisley (Gleaner on-line writer)

Tags: taxes. alcohol, tourism