The government of Barbados has delivered on a promise to implement the municipal solid waste tax on an already overtaxed Barbadian. The tax is introduced in the Municipal Solid Waste Tax Bill, 2014 as, “There shall be charged, levied and collected on the site value of improved lands“.

There has been a lot of discussion about the tax but (Underground) is confident Barbadians -for the good of country – will dig into savings and ask the bankers to increase limits on credit cards.

Barbadians are aware the government is cash strapped and is currently on a quest to find creative ways (used loosely) to generate revenue by levying taxes hither thither and yon. Some argue successive governments have not done enough to efficiently collect taxes owed to the crown. Several blogs have been posted to Underground identifying (a leading furniture and appliance store in Barbados) who owes BBD $25 million in VAT. The article $200 owed has appeared in the traditional press further highlighting government’s leaky collection management system.

Barbadians will bombard the call-in shows, post to social media but will PAY the solid waste tax, do not look for any civil disobedience to match the Poll Tax Riots. The tax is a burden to many at this time and was made so by poor implementation. BU understands the tax invoices were mailed on June 15, 2014 and according to the Act were due on June 30, 2014. After a public outcry the authorities announced the date extended to July, 2014. It is inconceivable our policymakers could not have anticipated the window to pay was too narrow and proactively extend the payment date to pre-empt wasteful public discussion. {MORE AT BARBADOS UNDERGROUND}