Gov’t boasts record tax collection amid hardship
The government recorded its strongest tax and non-tax revenue performance in recent years, even as residents continue to experience economic strain and stagnation.
Speaking during the recent budget debate, Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer pointed to record collections across several revenue streams, arguing that official data showed sustained growth in government intake despite global and local pressures.
He cited payroll tax as one of the strongest performers, noting that 2023 delivered the highest payroll tax collection in the territory’s history at $62.7 million, followed by 2024 with close to $59 million. Hotel accommodation tax and import duties also reached historic highs in 2024, with import duties exceeding $50 million for the first time.
Sharp growth in non-tax revenue
Rymer also highlighted sharp growth in non-tax revenue, particularly from the charter yacht sector. Commercial recreational vessel licensing revenue rose from $848,480 in 2023–2024 to $2.8 million in 2024–2025, an increase of more than 230 percent year on year, driven by revised fee structures and higher-value licences rather than vessel volume alone.
However, Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn challenged the government’s narrative, arguing that headline revenue gains were not being felt by ordinary residents and small businesses.
Walwyn said communities continued to face rising costs, bureaucratic hurdles, and difficulty accessing support, even as government coffers grew. He described the socio-economic conditions facing many residents as being “in dire need” of attention.
He pointed to struggles small businesses face in meeting statutory obligations, delays in processing contributions, and challenges in hiring workers, saying these pressures would be evident if lawmakers engaged directly with communities.
“The small businesses are suffering in this country,” Walwyn said. “I don’t know when last we took our time… I know you all like to walk around in your jackets. One of these days, take them off. Take off the tie, roll up your sleeve, walk through Road Town and ask a question, ‘How things doing?’”
Walwyn also questioned how increased revenue translated into tangible relief, especially amid what he described as a growing recurrent expenditure burden and a projected deficit in the 2026 estimates.
The Opposition Leader urged a broader examination of how revenue was raised and deployed, saying the public needed to see improvements reflected in daily living conditions rather than in aggregate figures alone.
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Making us pay to suffer and then “Boasting” about it!
Be nice to see some audited accounts before it all disappears.
import duties exceeding $50 million
VI people pay import fees exceeding 50million in one year but government went to borrow 100 million to pay back when. The customs fee traveling coming back home with items that are not produced here is extorting the people. Are the people supposed to do buy local when items are not produced locally.
People out of work some ppl ain’t had good Christmas and boasting well well we need drew back
Is he the Minister of Finance? Why is he the one telling us these things?
You don’t want to pay taxes but want the best amenities. Where would government get monies if not from taxes? Some people are very delusional.
What amenities you see we have???? name 3, no name 5. that WE the everyday ppl of these virgin islands have to benefit from….dont worry i’ll wait
so the taxes giving us bigger profits cool but is the taxes being used to develop and serve the people? is the this tax growth being used to help with cost of living or price control?
since it growing so much and being used on the territory and its people then might as well give us back what is unused in tax returns!
that or raise the tax bracket from killing we out year after year but seeing no substance
How much does the government collect in hidden taxes, such as the proceeds from the egregious duty HM Customs collects?
And what about the cruise sheep we have to endure? How much is the gaping maw of the treasury gobbling up from the cruise ship visits?
What is still urgently needed after more than a quarter of a century, are audits, accountability and genuine economic hygeine from our political leaders.
Of course that will ever happen under the sun.
This current governing party is devoid of Political Cleanliness and more.
The fact is, the people have seen, are aware and are awaiting the next time political jobs are up for reemployment.
It is therefore hoped that all thirteen will be given their walking papers, just as they have told pensioners to go get another job, which most do not have the ways and means of doing..
How insensitive and heartless can one be?
This premiet is for teal ?
Look at the price of living snd boasting about taxes instead of giving tax break
Peile can yiu believe this
Publish a list of all tax defaulters