OPM: One Tax Bahamas is not a new tax

The Office of the Prime Minister is seeking to clear up what it says is confusion surrounding the September 1 rollout of One Tax Bahamas, amid calls from the Opposition for the implementation to be halted.

Senator Latrae Rahming said One Tax Bahamas is not a new tax and does not introduce higher tax rates or create a pathway for new taxes.

Instead, Rahming described the initiative as a modernised digital platform intended to make it easier for individuals and businesses to manage existing tax and fee obligations through a single system.

He said the platform will progressively bring services such as value-added tax, business licences and real property tax together, allowing users to access them through a Bahamas Identification Number.

According to Rahming, the system is designed to reduce duplication, improve access to information and eliminate unnecessary administrative hurdles, with small-business owners expected to particularly benefit from having government services consolidated in one place.

Registration for One Tax Bahamas is set to begin on September 1, ahead of the phased introduction of services.

Rahming said the rollout will include public education, stakeholder consultation, clear guidance and practical assistance to ensure Bahamians understand how to use the platform.

The government’s clarification comes as the Opposition has called for next week’s rollout to be halted, citing concerns surrounding the initiative.

The government says it intends to ensure that no Bahamian is left behind as the new digital platform is introduced.