A combination of waiting for parts and weather has us as slightly reluctant Georgetown 'residents', at least for a few more days. While getting our stuff into the country we came across a very convoluted piece of tax logic that is worth recounting.
The Bahamas has just introduced a VERY unpopular VAT so, although boat parts can be bought in duty free we discovered we still had to pay VAT. A pity but OK. However the VAT charge seemed very high so I asked for an explanation. As far as I understood it, I got the following explanation:
"Vessel parts are duty free but, if you did have to pay duty on them it would be about $800. You have to pay VAT on both the value of the goods AND the duty that you would have had to pay if they were not duty free." Still with me? I'm not sure I've come across having to pay tax on a tax before. I have certainly never come across having to pay tax on a tax that you did not have to pay. A trifle wierd but you have to roll with it. Anyway, we have our parts and we are all geared up to head out for the Jumentos as soon as we get reasonable conditions.