During its November 13 meeting, the island’s territorial council voted 19 to 1 to accept a new financial code; the one negative vote was that of council member Benoît Chauvin. Over 100 people came out to hear the elected officials debate on the subject. Chauvin asked the most questions, taking time to ask for explanations of many different items, and bringing up the problem of examining the document without having the provisional budget presented by the Collectivity.
The financial code was on the agenda for a meeting on October 30, but was tabled so that the council members had more time to fine-tune the project, at the request of council member and lawyer, Karine Miot. In the meantime, Miot went to Paris with the council president, Bruno Magras, to meet François Seners, responsible for the requests of the council and editor of the document. On November 12, the council met behind closed doors and proposed 30 amendments, five of which were adopted in the plenary session the next day: important changes that complete the initial project. The final version of the text has 193 articles, while the initial version had only 100. The entire text can be seen on line at www.comstbarth.fr, the Collectivity’s official website.
Applicable as of January 1, 2008, the code calls for the collection of numerous indirect taxes that will affect residents and others that tax revenue generated by tourism. The notion of fiscal residence was finalized closer to the original idea of those crafting the COM, meaning that in order to be considered a fiscal resident of the island, a person must have lived on the island for five years, rather than five consecutive years without interruption.
The tourist tax of 5% per night is was least surprising, as the hotels have suggested that for several years. Already in application, taxes on fuel and electricity, as well as a tax for trash collection, will continue to be collected. Set at 4% since 1982, import duties will be raides to 5% in 2008. New is an annual fixed tax for all businesses, set at 300 euros for small companies (rather than 500 as suggested in the first draft), and increased by 100 euros per employee with a ceiling of 5,000 euros. A capital gains tax on real estate has been fixed at 25% of the profit realized. Donations of real estate among immediate family members are 
not taxed on the condition that the beneficiaries hold on to the property for at least 10 years. If not, they will be subject to a 25% tax on the amount over the estimated value of the gift. When the donations are not among family members, they are taxed at 40%. There is also a new tax on vehicles according to their horsepower: 30 euros/year for scooters less than 50cc, and up to 2000 euros/year for any car over 15CV (fiscal horsepower, basis on which a car is taxed annually in France). However, members of the association for retired people in Saint Barth were relieved to learn that the council voted to add to article 3 that notes that pensions and other retirement benefits that go to a resident of the island are not subject to taxation.
The members of the territorial council also deliberated that residents are not subject to the general tax code in France.
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
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Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
THE GREAT FISH DEBATE There seems to be a bone of contention among a few of my friends. Fine folks who love some of the finer things in life, such as Dover Sole That flat fish floating in butter and capers. Known in French as Sole Meunière, it is made from what is called in European fisherman ver...
