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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsNew Liquor, Cigarette Taxes Go Into Effect May 1

New Liquor, Cigarette Taxes Go Into Effect May 1

Unpopular new taxes on tobacco, sodas and liquor aimed at helping reduce the V.I. government’s structural budget deficit go into effect May 1. Mapp called the new excise tax rates “sin taxes” when his administration proposed them in December of 2016. After some changes, the Senate approved them March 1 and Mapp signed them into law later in March.

On Friday, the V.I. Internal Revenue Bureau issued notice of the new tax schedule, which applies directly to businesses which import these products. Customers will ultimately pay the tax as distributors pass the cost to retailers who pass it on to customers.

The new excise tax rates are:

1. Foreign Beers – $6.08 per case of 24-12 ounce containers or equivalent 2. US Beers – $5.00 per case of 24-12 ounce containers or equivalent 3. Foreign kegs – $8.25 per keg 4. US kegs – $5.70 per keg 5. Cigarettes – $11.00 per carton 6. Carbonated Drinks – $1.44 per case of 24-12 ounce containers or equivalent 7. Rums, Liquors, vodka and other alcoholic beverages – $6.00 per case

Taxpayers with questions about the excise taxes should contact Glenford Hodge at (340) 715-1040,
ext. 3201.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. And driving around in expensive chauffeured limos and SUVs and all the other crap he does to waste our money.

    So when are we going to find out what Mapp has cost us since he took office? So much for transparency!

    Tourists will just wait to get their goods in St. Maarten and bypass buying here. It’s the locals who will be stuck with the higher prices

  2. I agree with all of the above responses. You have to set an example , driving around in expensive cars, having no accountability at all in any part of the government , does not bred confidence with the voters. If you want people to pay a sin tax make sure you are spending the money wisely, not your lavish lifestyle.

  3. Sin taxes wont help much. Wall street thinks the VI Government is a joke and they are treating the VI like reckless spenders…. drying up the VI’s ability to borrow more $ which would only increase the VI’s “bills” even more. The Gov’t should be watching Puerto Rico as it’s only a matter of time before “professionals” take over. Hey VI Gov’t… NEWSFLASH…. the rest of us have to pay attention to our income and bills – it’s about time you do too. Thanks much for getting us into this mess – hope you feel the pain as much as we do.