Trinidad government denies moving to tax local artistes performing overseas

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago government has dismissed a suggestion by an opposition legislator that the authorities consider taxing local artistes who perform overseas.

Opposition legislator, Rodney Charles, raised the issue during a sitting of the Joint Select Committee on Foreign Affairs earlier this week, suggesting that consideration should be given to collecting revenue through taxation from artistes who perform abroad.

But, in a statement, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts said that “currently no such measure is under consideration by the Ministry nor the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

“Such a measure can have restrictive implications and negatively impact the industry. Additionally, all cultural practitioners, including artistes working both locally and abroad, are presently subject to the tax provisions of the country, as are all other citizens,” it added.

The ministry said that it would continue “to encourage the export of Trinidad and Tobago's cultural products and remains committed to developing the industry through working with all of its stakeholders to redound to the benefit of all citizens.”

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