PHILIPSBURG--Government has allocated 900,000 Caribbean guilders in the draft 2027 budget to advance tax reform, including the repeal of outdated tax laws and the introduction of a revised General National Ordinance on National Taxes, Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs said during Parliament’s public meeting on Tuesday.
Gumbs said the reform aims to create a simpler, fairer and more efficient tax system that generates more sustainable revenues while reducing administrative burdens for taxpayers.
Government considers the current tax system fragmented, administratively burdensome and no longer sufficiently aligned with the structure and needs of the economy.
The reform is intended to make the tax framework easier for citizens and businesses to understand and comply with, while ensuring that it remains competitive, transparent and aligned with international developments, including Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) standards.
For 2027, the Ministry of Finance will focus on advancing the first phase of the reform agenda.
This includes adopting legislation to repeal outdated tax laws and introducing a revised General National Ordinance on National Taxes to modernise the legal framework governing tax administration and compliance.
Gumbs said part of the technical assistance required for the reform is financed directly through the Temporary Work Organisation (TWO).
However, additional resources are needed because of the scale and complexity of the reform and the limited staffing available within Fiscal Affairs.
Currently, only two full-time staff members within Fiscal Affairs are dedicated to the work. The budget therefore includes Cg. 900,000 for the reform, of which approximately Cg. 200,000 is earmarked for external expertise and capacity support.
Government aims to establish a modern tax system that supports economic growth, strengthens compliance, improves revenue collection and provides a foundation for long-term fiscal sustainability.
