Minister of Agriculture Israel Bruce during the budget estimates on Thursday, addressed the issue of taxes by performing a “comparative analysis” to argue that the current government is easing the financial burden on citizens.
He cited the projected tax revenue for the 2026 fiscal year as $762,621,212 and contrasted this figure with the previous administration’s 2025 budget estimates, noting that they had anticipated collecting $788 million in tax revenue.
Bruce said that the difference between these figures represents a deliberate choice by the government.
“By projecting $762 million instead of $788 million, the government is prepared to leave “over $20 million in the pockets of poor people in this country”.
The Minister stated that this lower tax collection target as evidence that the current administration is a “government with a heart,” demonstrating a willingness to ease the burden on taxpayers despite facing “steep financial circumstances”.
In the same context of financial relief, he highlighted that the government had delivered a “VAT free holiday” and salary bonuses as promised.
