Budget proposes digital-services VAT and high-use electricity surcharge

WACK News synthesis · Published 13 October 2026 · 7 AM edition

The 2027 Budget proposes 12.5 per cent VAT on digital services supplied from abroad and a surcharge on high residential electricity consumption. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo presented the measures on 12 October.

The digital-services measure is planned for 1 March 2027. The electricity proposal would charge five cents per kilowatt-hour on consumption above 3,000 kilowatt-hours per billing period, starting 1 January 2027. Tancoo says 90 per cent of households fall below the threshold. These are announced Budget proposals; this report does not establish enactment.

Dated sources

Original statements and reporting used for this synthesis; published 12 October 2026, rechecked 13 October at 6:35 AM AST.

• Source 1 · Ministry of Finance Budget Statement pp164–165,171–172; Trinidad Guardian
• Source 2 · Ministry of Finance Budget Statement pp164–165,171–172; Trinidad Guardian

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