The Bahamas Prime Minister announced that unprepared food will be zero-rated for VAT effective 1 April 2026. The change applies to all unprepared food items sold within the country.
It takes effect on 1 April 2026.
Unprepared food items are covered by the zero-rated VAT.
The Bahamian Prime Minister announced the change on 12 January 2026.
Get VAT and indirect tax news delivered to your inbox twice a week.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
VatCalc · 1 day ago
The Bahamas will apply a 0% VAT rate to unprepared essential food items from 1 April 2026, replacing the 5% reduced rate introduced in 2025. This follows a broader VAT reform that lowered the standard rate from 12% to 10% in 2024, aiming to ease cost‑of‑living pressures for consumers.
EWNews · 2 days ago
The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) warns that broad VAT exemptions in the Bahamas can undermine fiscal sustainability, fairness, compliance, and public trust. It calls for evidence‑based, transparent policy design, minimal exemptions, targeted social protection, and the implementation of FOIA and whistleblower protections.
Caribbean National Weekly · 7 days ago
The Bahamas Prime Minister announced that VAT on unprepared food will be removed, effective 1 April 2026, bringing the rate to 0%. The announcement also includes a reduction of the overall VAT rate from 12% to 10%, aiming to ease the cost of living for Bahamian households.
Eye Witness News · 8 days ago
The Bahamian government has announced that from 1 April 2026, VAT on unprepared food will be reduced from 5% to 0%, covering items such as fresh produce, baby food, snacks and frozen foods. Additionally, owner‑occupied duplexes and triplexes will qualify for a residential property tax exemption, expanding earlier property‑tax relief measures.
EWNews · 8 days ago
The Bahamas will remove VAT from all food items previously taxed at 5% effective April 1 2026. The zero‑rate will cover unprepared groceries such as fresh produce, baby food, frozen foods, meats, staples, milk and eggs, but excludes prepared meals and restaurant food. The change aims to ease cost‑of‑living pressures.
Bloomberg Tax · about 6 hours ago
The Nicaraguan Directorate General of Revenue issued Notice No. 010-01-2026 on Jan. 16, 2026, setting a Jan. 20 deadline for large taxpayers (GRACOS) to pay advance VAT for the first half of January. Failure to meet the deadline could impact tax solvency. This guidance applies to large taxpayers in Nicaragua.
