THE TAX STRUCTURE OF THE MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK

The “Tax Structure of the Member Countries of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank” was completed by 1994. As reflected in the writings, the chapters were written in 1993, based on data at the end of 1991. This was a watershed period for tax policy in the member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) as countries begun to modify their tax structure and more actively utilize fiscal policy as an instrument for economic management.

This period also coincided with the greater focus on the coordination of fiscal and monetary policies and on deepening regional integration in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Consequently, issues related to the harmonisation of tax bases and rates among the member countries of the ECCB gained prominence.

This document therefore provides baseline information following which countries actively modified their tax structure to achieve specific fiscal objectives. It documents the taxation issues during the 1970’s and 1980’s as the countries embarked on a new fiscal path. After 1992, the member countries of the ECCB addressed critical fiscal policy issues and pursued several tax reforms some of which are documented in the book: Fiscal Policy – The Economy.