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.
The VAT removal takes effect on April 1 2026.
Unprepared food items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, baby food, lunch snacks, frozen foods, uncooked meats, rice, flour, sugar, dried beans, bread, milk, eggs and other essential grocery items will be zero‑rated.
No, prepared meals, restaurant food, and items altered by cooking or preparation before sale are not covered by the zero‑rate.
The change aims to address cost‑of‑living concerns for Bahamians.
The Free National Movement has long called for the removal of VAT on all food items.
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Bloomberg Tax · about 1 month ago
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.
VatCalc · about 1 month 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 · about 1 month 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 · about 1 month 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 · about 1 month 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.
LinkedIn Article by Ryan · about 4 hours ago
The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, ruling that the President lacked authority to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% tariffs on China and other partners. The decision remanded the case and left importers without a remedy, prompting the administration to announce a new worldwide tariff under the Trade Act of 1974. Importers must seek refunds through Customs and the U.S. Court of International Trade.
