Free GST Weekend Starts Tomorrow!

Belizeans will enjoy two tax-free weekends starting tomorrow, December 6th, as the government waives the 12.5% General Sales Tax on standard goods. The weekends are set for December 6–7 and December 20–21.

Financial Secretary Joseph Waight said the measure is meant to help families but also comes with a price. “I think the government has tried to help people by giving these GST-free weekends… But it comes with a cost, you know, it comes with a cost,” he explained.

Last year, the government lost about five million dollars in revenue from similar Christmas Cheer weekends. Waight noted, however, that stronger sales helped offset some of the loss. “It’s very hard to gauge because sales are picked up as well. If I had to pull a number out of the sky, and you don’t hold me to it, I’d say about five million dollars for over the two weekends [was lost].”

During these designated four days, GST will be waived on local retail sales of all standard goods. This means shoppers across the country can buy items without paying the usual sales tax that applies to most purchases.