Budget Statement In support of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure 2023 - 2024 presented by the Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP Premier and Minister of Finance
Delivered on: 17 February 2023
A summary of the key announcements:
Economic Recovery continued in 2022
Bermuda’s Economy is Growing
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3.4% – 3.9% GDP growth projected in 2022
Growth in Employment
International Business is Expanding
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230 new jobs in 2022 (119 new positions filled by Bermudians)
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812 new companies formed in 2022
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2021 saw strongest IB growth in 15 years
- 591 IB jobs created since 2019
Tourism is Rebounding
- Air Visitor Spending doubled in 2022
- Record cruise season in 2023
Payroll Taxes to be reduced for 86% of workers and 86% of Businesses
Business Taxes
- No businesses will see their taxes increase this year
- Businesses will see their payroll tax liability reduced by as much as 43%
- Self employed farmers fishermen will be exempt from employer payroll taxes
- Employers will be exempt from paying payroll tax to employees on maternity/paternity leave
Employee Taxes
- Workers making less than $132,000 annually will pay less payroll tax than last year
- Since 2017, workers earning $48,000 have paid a combined $6,960 less in payroll tax
Completion of Morgan’s Point
- Cabinet has approved site to be converted with 101 residential units planned for phase 1.
- Residential units will range from entry level to high end, with seniors housing to be added in phase 2
- Redevelopment centered around an amenity village with restaurants retail
Path to a Balanced Budget
- Current year revenue up 7.2% - Achieved with no tax increases & relief in customs duty for essential goods and fuel duty to freeze fuel prices.
- Deficit projected to fall to $43 million this year, and still on path for a balanced budget next year
- $50 million of debt to be repaid this year, the first debt repayment in 9 years causing interest costs to fall by $2.4 Million.
Highest Capital Expenditure in 13 years to repair infrastructure
- Increased funds to repave roads
- $5.5 million allocated to renovate and equip 2 new parish primary schools: Francis Patton and Purvis Primary
- New health clinic to open in Somerset
- Additional affordable housing to be constructed
- 40 electric buses, refit of fast ferries
- New vehicles for fire, police and corrections
New Investments to improve quality of life
- Social insurance benefits will increase by the rate of inflation this year
- Additional funds for the Hospital
- Increased child daycare allowances for parents
- Transitional living for young persons ageing out of care
- Increased funding for care homes
- Reintroduction of public health scholarships
- Air-quality monitoring for those affected by BELCO emissions
- Expanding social protections for families via financial assistance
Changes to Taxes and Fees
Land Tax Changes
- Land tax to increase on properties with ARV higher than $90,000, which affects 4% of properties in Bermuda
Some Exisitng Fees to increase
- Increase by 5%: Stamp duty, Trademark fees, Fines, Solid waste dumping fees, Planning fees, Shipping fees, Work Permit & PRC fees
- Increase in court fees
New Fees
- Vacation Rental Registration fee
- Regulatory fee for companies
- A fee for complex PATI requests
Customs Duty Changes
- Sugar Tax Reform: Items that may have a small amount of added sugar such as: Nutritional bars, low-sugar drinks, Non-dairy creamers will be reduced.
- Personal care Fitness companies to be exempt from customs duty for upgrades to their business
- Elimination of duty for school uniforms import of aggregate
Improving Tax Collection
- New restrictions on businesses, individuals and landowners who are not current with their tax obligations or their tax payment plans.
- These restrictions can include denial of contracts, grants, permits, licences or other government authorisations.
Mortgage Guarantee Programme - Phase 2
- More Bermudians able to take advantage of lower interest rates
- Age restriction removed - Open to any Bermudian purchasing a first home
- Public Officers will be eligible to transfer their mortgage
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