AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums About Belize Nation 10% tax on Guide fees

Some places add the 10% into the price. Some add it on to the advertised price. Everyone collects it one way or the other!

It's designed to be an invisable tax to the consumer - so as long as you pay the advertised price and nobody tries to add 10% tax on at the end, it is legit from your point of view. Some people decide to tell you their prices includes tax others don't bother to mention it, the end result is the same.

Opposite to the system I have found in the US where you see a price tag, think that's the cost and then get whooped for a bunch more on the bill ot the till!!!

Seems a better system to me.

I'm amazed that American's accept the present system. The Brits started out with the same when VAT was introduced in the '70's, but after many complaints the law was changed to what it recently became in Belize - prices quoted must be inclusive. Again, I'm surprised how many businesses here get away with illegally adding 10% to the bill after the price has been agreed. Even if customers don't complain the GST office are well aware of what goes on and do have the powers to stop it - they just choose not to. Is this corruption or inefficiency?