Sales Tax in Coco Cay????

[CRUISEBOY305]

Was just in Coco Cay this past weekend, and was charged sales tax on a Cocoloco. Does anybody know why??? As far as I know The Bahamas in general has no sales tax

 

Edited April 15, 2015 by CRUISEBOY305

[LMaxwell]

That's a good question; 7.5% goes to where?

[kruzerci]

From what I was told on my December and January cruises, the Bahamas implemented a sales tax on January 1st of this year.

[Ourusualbeach]

From what I was told on my December and January cruises, the Bahamas implemented a sales tax on January 1st of this year.

 

Correct.

 

http://www.loc.gov/lawweb/servlet/lloc_news?disp3_l205404099_text

[awestover89]

From what I was told on my December and January cruises, the Bahamas implemented a sales tax on January 1st of this year.

 

Technically it's a VAT (Value Added Tax) Not sure if there's actually a distinction, but yes, it was passed on January 1, 2015 and replaces the old 10% Hotel Tax. The goal, as I understand it, was to tax more items at a lower rate.

[snorkelman]

You asked about alcohol, but this has a wider impact. For example, I never understand why people buy jewelry in the Bahamas while on a cruise, unless that is the only port. If it is an Eastern sailing, any ship that stops in the Bahamas will almost always stop in St. Maartin and St. Thomas, which are much better options for jewelry.

 

Now that the Bahamas taxes items, there is zero advantage over just buying it in Florida where I live.

Edited April 15, 2015 by snorkelman

[CRUISEBOY305]

Thank You everyone for the information. I figured the tax laws had to have changed recently.