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
  	
    
        - 
            3.4% – 3.9% GDP growth projected in 2022
        
 
    
    
        Growth in Employment
    
    
    
        International Business is Expanding
    
    
        - 
            230 new jobs in 2022 (119 new positions filled by Bermudians)
        
 
        - 
            812 new companies formed in 2022
        
 
        - 
            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
 
    
 	 Documents: