ABST Cut to Zero on Food and School Supplies Set for April Weekend

Published
Cabinet Considers Expanding Windfall Tax to All Highly Profitable Businesses
Cabinet Meeting of the Antigua and Barbuda government

The Cabinet has confirmed that the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) will be reduced to 0% on a range of essential food items and school supplies for a two-day period in April.

The tax relief measure will take effect over the weekend of April 10–11, 2026, just ahead of the reopening of schools following the Easter break.

According to notes from the Cabinet, the initiative is aimed at easing the financial burden on families as they prepare for the new school term.

The temporary removal of ABST is expected to make basic goods more affordable, particularly for parents purchasing school-related items and groceries.

The move forms part of broader efforts by the government to provide targeted economic relief and support household spending during key periods of the year.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2026/03/19/abst-cut-to-zero-on-food-and-school-supplies-set-for-april-weekend. © 2026 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

Step 1

Add Antigua.news to your Home Screen

✕ antigua.news ⋯ Open in Safari Copy link Share…

First, open this page in Safari

You are reading inside another app (Instagram, Facebook…). Tap ⋯ at the top right and choose Open in Safari (or Open in browser).

No such option? Copy the link, open Safari and paste it in the address bar.

⚙️ Settings General › Software Update

Update your iPhone first

Alerts need iOS 16.4 or newer. Open Settings → General → Software Update and install the update. You can still add the icon now: tap Next.

‹ antigua.news ⋯

Tap the ⋯ button

It is at the bottom right of Safari, next to the address bar. Don't see the bar? Scroll up a little.

Share Add Bookmark New Tab Find on Page

Tap Share

It is the first option of the menu, with a square-and-arrow icon.

antigua.news ‹ › ▢ ⧉

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow pointing up, in the middle of the bar at the bottom (on iPad: at the top right).

antigua.news

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow, at the right of the address bar at the top. (Firefox: tap ☰ at the bottom, then Share.)

Copy Add to Reading List Add to Home Screen

Tap Add to Home Screen

Scroll down the list to find it (icon: a square with a +). Not there? Tap Edit Actions or View More at the bottom.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news Open as Web App

Keep Open as Web App on, then tap Add

The switch must be green — without it, alerts can't work. Then tap Add at the top right.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news An icon will be added to your Home Screen so you can quickly access this website.

Tap Add

At the top right. If you see an Open as Web App switch, leave it on (green).

Antigua.news

Close the browser and open Antigua.news from its new icon

Go to your Home Screen: the Antigua.news icon is there now (swipe left if you don't see it). Alerts only work when you open us from this icon.

“Antigua.news” Would Like to Send You Notifications Notifications may include alerts, sounds and icon badges. Don’t Allow Allow

Tap 🔔 Turn on alerts, then Allow

In the app you will see a red box asking to turn on alerts: choose your sections, tap the button, then tap Allow. That's it — breaking news will reach you even with the phone locked.

Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

Read our editorial standards and corrections policy. Spotted an error? Contact the newsroom.

Comments (8)

  • Janillia March 19, 2026, 9:38 AM

    WAHHHHHHHHHHHHH Election Coming!!!
    Reply
  • Stupzzz March 19, 2026, 11:53 AM

    But who advised the PM on this matter? School will be closed in April. Most parents buy their school supplies in at the August and September. So, PM, who is this benefiting? Are you asking us to buy school supplies in APril? Nonesence!
    Reply
    • Sensible March 19, 2026, 3:39 PM

      Relief doesn’t come to all people at the same time. But if it’s available and you can take advantage of it, then that’s what you do. The fact is, in August, a lot of people still not going to have enough money to purchase what their children need. But those who can in April will get some relief. You get ABST in August, and people still can’t afford to shop. So what’s the difference?
      Reply
  • JT March 19, 2026, 1:03 PM

    the timing for the school supplies is so off, because most parents don’t to school supplies shopping in the third, especially for uniforms, what about the parents that has children in grade 6, where their will be changing schools.. so why not wait until a couple of weeks before the new school year begins..
    Reply
    • Informed citizen March 19, 2026, 9:00 PM

      agreed
      Reply
  • Apex Jones March 19, 2026, 2:26 PM

    Why is all the focus in the comments on school supplies? What about the essentials food items?
    Reply
    • Sensible March 19, 2026, 3:43 PM

      Thank you!!!
      Reply
  • Queen Charlotte March 22, 2026, 7:45 AM

    This is the kind of thing people want to see real relief, not just talk 👏🏽
    Reply

Submit a comment

More from Antigua and Barbuda

View section