The Revenue Commission would like to inform all businesses and/or employers of the recent changes which have taken place in respect of Goods and Services Tax, Business Tax and Social Security Fund contributions. These changes will be effective as from 1st January 2008.

GST EXEMPTIONS
Exemption of the Goods and Services Tax will now be applied to the following items:

Items	HS Code
Solar Panels for the production of solar powered heating	HS:8419:1900
Compact Florescent Lamps	HS:8539:2910
Rice	HS:1006:1000 HS:1006:2000 HS:1006:3010 HS:1006:3020 HS:1006:3090 HS:1006:4000
High Protein Flour	HS:1101:0011
Milk Powder	HS:0402:100 HS:0402:2100 HS:0402:2910 HS:0402:2990
Infant Milk Formulae	HS:0402:9110
Potatoes	HS:0701:1000 HS:0701:9000
Onions	HS:0703:1000
Sunflower Oil	HS:1512:1900

New Business Liable to GST
The following business activities (new and revised) will become liable for GST on their business turnover:

Description	GST Rate
A person carrying on the business of providing funeral services including the services of an undertaker	15%
A person carrying on the business of providing complimentary health care services as provided for under the Complimentary Health Care Act e.g: a)Hydro therapist g)Acupunturist b)Hypnotherapist h)Manipulative therapist c)Reflexologist i)Osteopath d)Aromatherapist j)Energy therapist e)Massage k)Colour therapist f)Homepath	15%
A person carrying on the business of a medical practitioner or of providing medical services but excluding such services or activities carried out by a government hospital or clinic.	15%
A person carrying on the business of providing consultancy, advisory or managerial services including services as a management or financial consultant.	15%

Specified Business - Deduction at Source
The Provisional Tax (Deduction at Source) list of Specified Business has been revised to reduce the number of small business operators and business in general who will have to deal with the requirements of the Provisional Tax (Deduction at Source) system. The new list of Specified Businesses who operate under the Provisional Tax (Deduction at Source) system is as follow:

Type of Specified Business	Rate of Provisional Tax (Deduction at Source)
1. Blaster or Driller 5. Mason 2. Cabinet Maker 6. Plumber 3. Carpenter or Upholsterer 7. Labour Contractor 4. Electrician or Wireman 8. Building Contractor	5%
9. Contractor providing cleaning services including cleaning of buildings and offices	5%
10. Contractor providing services of clearing or improving land and landscaping	5%
11. Maintenance contractor including those constructing or maintaining roads, bridges or pathways	5%
12. Mechanic (motor vehicle, marine or refrigeration)	5%
13. Hirer or operator of plant, equipment or sea vessels	5%
14. Hirer or operator of motor vehicle used for transportation of goods	5%
15. Hirer or operator of equipment used for towing	5%
16. Contractor providing the services of repairing or installing electrical appliances including air conditioners and heaters	5%
17. Contractor providing the services of constructing, repairing or maintaining fibre-glass products	5%

Social Security Contributions
Revised Employer and Employee Social Security Fund contribution rates:

Employers Contribution	A flat rate of 20% of the total emolument paid to an employee each month
Employees Contribution	A flat rate of 2.5% of the total emolument paid to an employee each month