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.
The VAT elimination on unprepared food takes effect on 1 April 2026.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, baby food, lunch snacks, frozen foods and other groceries – everything except prepared meals sold hot or ready to eat – will be VAT free.
Owner‑occupied duplexes and triplexes will now qualify for the residential property tax exemption, and concessions for first‑time homeowners have been expanded.
Effective 1 September 2025, VAT on medicines, medical supplies, feminine hygiene products and baby and adult diapers was reduced from 10% to 5%.
Feminine hygiene products were made permanently zero‑rated in August 2025.
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EWNews · about 14 hours ago
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.
EY · 1 day ago
The EY Sales and Use Tax Quarterly Update provides a summary of the major legislative, administrative and judicial sales and use tax developments for the first quarter of 2026. It highlights recent changes involving nexus, tax base and exemptions, technology, and compliance and controversy.
VATabout · 2 days ago
Mexico’s 2026 Tax Reform introduces significant VAT changes, including non-creditable VAT on insurance claims settled in kind and new digital reporting obligations for platforms. Digital platforms must provide online access to transactional data, upload detailed supplier information daily, and retain records for five years. The reform also removes the ability of Collective Financing Institutions to substitute legal entities for VAT withholding on interest paid to individuals.
KPMG Canada · 4 days ago
KPMG Canada outlines new GST/HST and QST obligations for employers and pension plans. Employers offering registered pension plans must remit by January 31, 2026, while pension entities and master pension entities must file annual returns by June 30, 2026. The guidance also advises reviewing SLFI status and claiming eligible rebates.
Sovos · 4 days ago
This guide outlines Arkansas’s statewide sales and use tax rate of 6.5%, economic nexus thresholds, prepayment obligations for high‑volume sellers, and the state’s participation in the Streamlined Sales Tax initiative. It also covers exemption certificates, filing methods, and the destination‑based sourcing rule.
VatCalc · 4 days ago
Brazil has approved a second law that operationalises its dual VAT system, introducing a federal CBS tax of 8.8% and a state/municipal IBS tax of 17.7% and replacing PIS, Cofins, ICMS and ISS. The legislation establishes a national governance body for IBS, provides sector‑specific rules, and sets a phased transition from 2026 to 2033.
