General sales tax (GST) is a tax on the supply of most goods and services in Belize. It is generally charged at a rate of 10%.
What Is General sales tax?
General sales tax (GST) is a tax imposed on the value or the mark-up added to imports and other goods and services supplied by one business to another or to final customers. General sales tax is calculated and charged on transactions in the production and delivery chain but the consumer pays General sales tax only on the final selling price. However, the tax paid on inputs by a registered person is netted off the tax received on the output and only the difference is paid to Government. Where the input tax incurred by a registered person exceeds the output tax (received), the registered person may claim the difference as a credit against future tax liability.
Profile of the General Sales Tax Department
The General Sales Tax (GST) was introduced on 1st July 2006 and replaced the former Sales Tax. The Department of GST is a division under the Ministry of Finance and is mandated to work closely with the two sister Departments of Income and Business Tax and Customs & Excise.
The department operates out of the following locations:
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Head Office, Administration Building, Mahogany Street Extension, Belize City covering the Belize District
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San Ignacio Office, Habet Building, West Street covering the Cayo District
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Dangriga Office, Cor. Riverside and Front Streets covering Stann Creek and Toledo Districts
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Corozal Office, 199 5th Avenue covering Corozal and Orange Walk Districts
The Commissioner of GST is responsible for the administration of the GST ACT 49 of 2005.
The Commissioner plays a key role in advising the Ministry of Finance on technical issues and is also responsible to devise and implement rational plans to see that the Vision and Mission of the Department are achieved.
Audit & Investigation
This Section operates under the leadership of the Assistant Commissioner with support from a Supervisor who has direct responsibility for the Audit program. The role of the section is to conduct routine verification of refunds, desk and field audits including comprehensive audits on the books, accounts and records of all taxable persons in Belize and to also raise assessments where necessary.
Administration
Under the leadership of the Assistant Commissioner and with support from a supervisor, this section encompasses the following units:
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Taxpayer Services, responsible for the registration of all taxable persons and taxpayer’s educational and training needs.
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Revenue & Accounting, responsible for the day to day GST collections, return filing and creating assessments.
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Collection and Enforcement, responsible for the management and coordination of all GST liabilities due and includes disputes/appeals and distress/enforcement involving court proceedings.
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Finance & Administration, responsible for the processing of personnel related matters including salaries and the upkeep of the registry.
Official Website Link: http://www.gst.gov.bz/
