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New Taxes?
#118789
01/26/2017 08:25 AM
01/26/2017 08:25 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567 Ohio
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We all know who actually pays when any government imposes a tax. Tax Article
J.D.
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Re: New Taxes?
[Re: boucharda]
#118791
01/26/2017 08:42 AM
01/26/2017 08:42 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
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Give it time! You know if the government wants a cut from the airport it will NOT come out of what is already being collected. It will be an additional tax/fee that the passenger will ultimately pay.
J.D.
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Re: New Taxes?
[Re: boucharda]
#118793
01/26/2017 09:18 AM
01/26/2017 09:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Like someone said, don't give them any ideas!! A toll to cross either the Simpson Bay bridge or the causeway? If you think traffic in Simpson Bay is bad now, with a backup for a toll??? Yikes!!
Regarding departure tax, it is pretty ridiculous that there is a departure tax now and the whole thing goes to the airport, and nothing to the government. The airport is like GEBE, they are supposedly owned by government, but they do whatever they darn please!
Carol Hill
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Re: New Taxes?
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#118794
01/26/2017 10:59 PM
01/26/2017 10:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 249 Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
jaxon60
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I didn't look at my booking closely when I purchased our tickets for our last trip, so I don't know if PJIA charges both an improvement fee and the 'departure' fee. If it is just the departure fee it is not unlike many airports in North America that charge an airport improvement fee. The airport keeps that fee and uses it, in theory, to improve the airport. The fee, like a departure tax is usually included in your ticket cost so you may not notice it.
My point is that the name may be different, but the fee probably isn't that unusual. And the fee and a departure tax wouldn't be extraordinary in the Caribbean.
(Please don't mistake the above for an endorsement of these fees and taxes.)
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Re: New Taxes?
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#118796
01/27/2017 04:42 PM
01/27/2017 04:42 PM
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 324 Oregon
Caribbean5
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We have already booked out trip to SXM in February. We haven't been for years and if the tax is $36 pp ($72). I think this might be our last trip to SXM. There are way too many other good places to travel. They can nickel and dime us to death but at some point it has to stop.
Jimmy Buffett for President
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Re: New Taxes?
[Re: Caribbean5]
#118797
01/27/2017 04:49 PM
01/27/2017 04:49 PM
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The current departure/airport fee is built into your ticket price. Check your receipt if you have access to it and you will see it. Virtually every island has some sort of arrival/departure fee or tax but it is getting to the point it will make people think.
J.D.
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Re: New Taxes?
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#118798
01/27/2017 05:06 PM
01/27/2017 05:06 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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I'm laughing because one of the articles I read on this subject said that at one time the departure 'fee' was only five dollars. DH and I were reminded during our brief visit with the friend we saw in SXM that the first trip we made in 1973 or '74 the fee was only $2.00 US pp.
The thing is, with it included in the airline tickets many don't even realize they're paying one and I have to admit, I hadn't realized it had climbed to $36.00.
But still, I can't imagine having to choose another destination for an extra few dollars in airfare but that's just me. Certainly none of us want to pay more than we have to but we each have to decide if this location is worth the extra money.
Personally speaking and never having been there myself, a lot of my Canadian friends keep talking about how beautiful and affordable Cuba is. Lookout SXM, you could be plucking the feathers off the golden goose if you aren't careful. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: New Taxes?
[Re: Bobcat]
#118802
01/28/2017 09:16 AM
01/28/2017 09:16 AM
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In my personal case, the $36 going for SXM departure fee/tax is the biggest add-on followed by the US transportation tax. A total of over $129 in taxes/fees.
Taxes, Fees and Charges United States - Immigration and Naturalization Fee(Immigration User Fee) (XY) $7.00 USD Sint Maarten - Passenger Screening Fee (FG) $10.91 USD Sint Maarten - Airport Departure Tax (SXM) (FH) $36.00 USD United States - September 11th Security Fee(Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee) (AY) $11.20 USD United States - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Fee (APHIS User Fee - Passengers (XA) $3.96 USD United States - Custom User Fee (YC) $5.50 USD Sint Maarten - Airport Improvement Fee (IW) $5.50 USD United States - Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $13.50 USD United States - Transportation Tax (US) $35.60 USD
J.D.
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Re: New Taxes?
[Re: sxmblue]
#118805
01/28/2017 05:48 PM
01/28/2017 05:48 PM
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No idea for sure but I would guess gate/parking fees are a totally separate thing and are probably built into the price of the ticket.
J.D.
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Re: New Taxes?
[Re: SXMBND]
#118808
02/02/2017 08:28 AM
02/02/2017 08:28 AM
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Yes (although a lesser amount) and I believe there was discussion of raising that also. Every port has a port tax per passenger and that is whether they leave the ship or not.
From the original article: "The Port, charges US $7 per tourist"
J.D.
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Re: New Taxes?
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#118809
02/02/2017 10:24 AM
02/02/2017 10:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Wow, I guess I didn't realize they were talking about putting these new taxes on day trips. Wow. That will be really popular...
Carol Hill
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