Forums39
Topics38,731
Posts313,278
Members26,578
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
35 registered members (PML, MKGrey, GeorgeC1, Husker, jaxon60, CaribbeanCanadians, Cleobeach, Todd, Zanshin, xrayman67, ChuckG, Jim_Laraine, taraavo, SteveH, NoelHall, jbutah, dolfer, Compskier, BarbyandLeo, eightzerobits, MrEZgoin, lcote, Billtjw, timnboston, Alltech63, CLIFFTOPS, 9 invisible),
1,279
guests, and 109
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: gordaguy2]
#91529
03/25/2016 02:21 PM
03/25/2016 02:21 PM
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 109 Bozeman / Minneapolis
snowdog
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 109
Bozeman / Minneapolis
|
Taxing tourists is very common. The hotel taxes in most major US cities is more than 10%. I am not sure I have a issue - if the money is well spent.
One challenge I see is for boats that are crossing into the USVI to spend a few days/nights. How would that work for taxes?
Anyone know what BVI taxes are paid on charters now? (besides the park permit fees)
s/v Snow Dog - Leopard 46
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: Twanger]
#91531
03/25/2016 02:58 PM
03/25/2016 02:58 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999 Macon, Georgia
GlennA
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
|
That reads more like he wants the tax on charter fees not just sleep aboards.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: sail445]
#91536
03/27/2016 11:25 AM
03/27/2016 11:25 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 167 Other
letsgosailing
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 167
Other
|
Aruba has a 24% hotel tax... I am surprised that it too them this long to start in Charter vessels..
Capt. Russell
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: letsgosailing]
#91537
03/27/2016 11:37 AM
03/27/2016 11:37 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530 Ya never know...
HillsideView
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530
Ya never know...
|
Sales (BBO) Tax Aruba has a sales tax on the supply of goods and services in the amount of 1.5% of the sale. The tax is charged on (among other things) hotel bookings, activities and dining.
Hotel Room Tax The Aruban Government levies a 6% room tax on all hotel and timeshare rooms. Hotels and timeshares levy an 11% hotel service charge on rooms. Some properties also levy an energy service charge. All will be detailed on your checkout bill.
This page was last updated 03/27/2016 11:36:57
My foot fits right into my shoe and my shoe will fit right into your...
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: gordaguy2]
#91542
03/27/2016 03:46 PM
03/27/2016 03:46 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 464 Charlotte, NC
DEL
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 464
Charlotte, NC
|
As one who has been chartering in the BVI for more than 40 years, I am willing to pay for value. I used to anchor where today there are $30 mooring fees. I see value there. When taxi fares were jacked up by the government, I started renting cars. As hotel rates have risen (with added taxes and arbitrary fees, e.g. Maria's by the Sea $25 fee), I have gravitated to sleepaboards. Not only is it cheaper, but I get off the dock earlier and get a prime mooring ball location that evening. This politician seems focused on raising tax revenue from tourists without touching locals. Try developing a mooring ball reservation system with demand-based pricing. I would gladly pay more to guarantee a mooring ball at my destination. That's my idea of value!
Douglas E. Linton
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: Breeze]
#91543
03/27/2016 04:49 PM
03/27/2016 04:49 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
|
Breeze said: Could be quite interesting if every charter boat is determined to be a floating hotel and occupants are taxed at 10% of their charter fee for sleeping every night Europe and particularly France have been in this battle since +/- 2013. The EU ruled all yacht charters are responsible to pay VAT on the total price of the contract or +/- 20 percent. Italy is a clear 21%. The whole thing is hotly debated and you need a good lawyer to understand what is in, what is exempt, what is claimable. Moving to Florida if you rent anything without a crew. You must pay sales tax on the total rental.
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: warren460]
#91546
03/27/2016 05:43 PM
03/27/2016 05:43 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
|
warren460 said: It's to bad that this is all speculation. If we had concrete proposals, maybe we would start voting with our check books.
I hope that the charter industry is not sitting idle while this gets screwed up. Back in the day Charlie Cary and the other early pioneers had a roundtable where each charter operator had one seat. At times this group was at least an influential political lobby. Charlie Cary and his wife Jenny were conferred upon the the status of "Honorary Belongers". The sum total of the many whose livelihood depends on the boats going in and out of the docks on Tortola is very large. Taxi's, Provisions, Mechanics.... The other reality is the BVI runs on +/-$300M in taxes and fees. In January the BVI had more than $15M in invoices they did not have the cash to pay. With $20 Million in bills each month the BVI Gov usually has less than $7M in cash on hand.
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: snowdog]
#91547
03/28/2016 09:26 AM
03/28/2016 09:26 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 308 Tampa, FL
denverd0n
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 308
Tampa, FL
|
snowdog said:I am not sure I have a issue - if the money is well spent. I would have absolutely NO issue, if the money was well spent. But therein lies the problem. Whether we are talking about the BVI, or any other government bureaucracy, the money is almost NEVER "well spent!"
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: denverd0n]
#91548
03/28/2016 09:36 AM
03/28/2016 09:36 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,074 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,074
GA/NC
|
Keep in mind charter boats are taxed now. The boat owner pays a yearly tax to charter. Boat import tax There is a cruising tax. Any replacement parts are taxed. Fishing tax New boat fishing tax National Park tax Charter guests pay a 20 to 40 dollar exit tax
The BVI can add additional taxes if they choose. Charter companies, boat owners, and charter customers can choose to pay them or take their business elsewhere. I suspect the BVI is underestimating the effects of Cuba opening up. I think when Cuba is fully up and running it's going to have a big impact on the BVI. Everyone I know with a charter boat is looking at moving it to Cuba. It's going to be a great place that's very easy to get to and from. I am already hearing about plans for fast ferries from South Florida. Airfares should be only slightly more then flying to Miami from anywhere in the country. If the Cuban government places it's cards right they will be the place to go. G
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 03/28/2016 09:45 AM.
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: Twanger]
#91551
03/28/2016 02:19 PM
03/28/2016 02:19 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
|
Twanger said: You're right George. In the last 6 years we've done half our trips in the SVI.
No boat import tax. No cruising tax. No national park tax. Free fishing. Free anchoring. Free moorings. No exit fees.
So I figure we save $600-$800 going to the SVI vs. the BVI.
That buys a lot of lobster! All true plus very little infrastructure, very hard to impossible to find potable water, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico while part of the US has very deep budget and economic troubles. Enjoy it while you can. At some point someone will have to pay the tab that is running in and on Puerto Rico. In Florida all that would be taxed at 6% or more.
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: StormJib]
#91552
03/28/2016 02:48 PM
03/28/2016 02:48 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
|
Sales tax in PR is now 11.5%. We still got some deals in Fajardo in October even with that tax. We got water at Puerto Del Rey. But, with two of us 95 gallons lasts two weeks.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: RickG]
#91553
03/28/2016 02:55 PM
03/28/2016 02:55 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
|
RickG said: Sales tax in PR is now 11.5%. We still got some deals in Fajardo in October even with that tax. We got water at Puerto Del Rey. But, with two of us 95 gallons lasts two weeks.
Cheers, RickG Ouch!! This is a little cut and past for the PR based Sail Caribe... A 50% deposit is required upon reservation & the balance is billed forty-five (45) days prior to charter - Sales tax, Diesel fuel and Daily Damage waiver is charged extra - Cancellation Policy applies Still got a ways to go to catch up the 20% plus rates in Italy and France.
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#91555
03/28/2016 04:03 PM
03/28/2016 04:03 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,239 Long Bay Hill, Tortola, BVI
Pineapple
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,239
Long Bay Hill, Tortola, BVI
|
GeorgeC1 said: Keep in mind charter boats are taxed now. The boat owner pays a yearly tax to charter. Boat import tax There is a cruising tax. Any replacement parts are taxed. Fishing tax New boat fishing tax National Park tax Charter guests pay a 20 to 40 dollar exit tax
The BVI can add additional taxes if they choose. Charter companies, boat owners, and charter customers can choose to pay them or take their business elsewhere. I suspect the BVI is underestimating the effects of Cuba opening up. I think when Cuba is fully up and running it's going to have a big impact on the BVI. Everyone I know with a charter boat is looking at moving it to Cuba. It's going to be a great place that's very easy to get to and from. I am already hearing about plans for fast ferries from South Florida. Airfares should be only slightly more then flying to Miami from anywhere in the country. If the Cuban government places it's cards right they will be the place to go. G I don't check TTOL often but I have to respond to this one. The BVI has long underestimated the effects of LOTS of things. Including water for the people, affordable food and affordable electricity in relation to the pay scale, efficient ferry service for tourist and locals alike, welcoming, efficient services from entry to having a meal, clean air for the people of West End instead of an incinerator billowing toxins, sewer issues, roads, traffic and parking problems, not enough police to police the place, certain crowded beaches that still run land based guests away, projects that run by $30 million over budget, constant new taxes and fees on tourist... on and on and on. Tourist have been exiting the BVI for years yet, they stand up and say the ECONOMY IS ROBUST.... ROBUST my [censored]! George and stormjib are exactly right, unfortunately.
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: warren460]
#91558
03/29/2016 07:30 AM
03/29/2016 07:30 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
|
The beach bar in my dinghy works great at the SVI. The food in our onboard restaurant is also better than 95% of the restaurants in the BVI. What we did find were free anchorages that emptied out, except for cruisers, before sunset. We also had great fishing, snorkeling and hiking. We're looking forward to heading back.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: gordaguy2]
#91561
03/30/2016 02:18 PM
03/30/2016 02:18 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 968 Middleburg, VA
cwoody
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 968
Middleburg, VA
|
So how do you define a "sleep aboard" ?
Any time you sleep on-board while tied up at a dock? Good luck with that.
SunSail will not have this issue. They do no have a sleep aboard policy. All charters start at 6pm and You are required to book an extra day if you want to board on the day you arrive.
They should also tax the boats with air conditioning. Never had all these "sleep aboards" before all the boats got shore AC.
Chuck W.
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: warren460]
#91562
03/30/2016 09:11 PM
03/30/2016 09:11 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 402 St Thomas, USVI
Kimber
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 402
St Thomas, USVI
|
warren460 said: Svi is not so exciting. Shortage of beach bars and restaurants Yes!!! Stick with that and repeat frequently.
|
|
|
Re: Sleep aboards to be taxed?
[Re: Tarroc]
#91566
04/01/2016 02:08 PM
04/01/2016 02:08 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,172 RincĂłn PR
casailor53
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,172
RincĂłn PR
|
Tarroc said: Minister Walwyn has a dog in this fight--he owns the hotel at Moorings base and has had his occupancy rates severely effected by the Moorings sleep-aboard/evening start policy. Not exactly true. He manages those properties.
|
|
|
|