Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Finance published details of amendments to Schedule 2 of the Value Added Tax Act (Chap. 75:06), setting out the final list of items that are zero-rated for value added tax (VAT) under the Value Added Tax (Amendment to Schedule 2) Order 2016. The update also confirms the reduction in the standard VAT rate from 15% to 12.5%, effective 1 February 2016, with goods and services not on the zero-rated list subject to VAT. The Ministry highlights how the amended zero-rating applies in practice across product categories, including by distinguishing between basic items that remain zero-rated and related variants that are now standard-rated. Examples include wheat flour (zero-rated) versus other flours (standard-rated), animal milk in specified forms (zero-rated) versus creamers and sweetened or concentrated milk (standard-rated), margarine (zero-rated) versus fresh butter (standard-rated), plain white and whole wheat bread (zero-rated) versus artisan and other bread types (standard-rated), cheddar and rennet-free cheese (zero-rated) versus other cheeses (standard-rated), and corned beef (zero-rated) versus various prepared and preserved meats (standard-rated). It also notes continuing zero-rating for unprocessed foods and certain staples, while treating prepared or preserved produce, canned legumes, and specified processed cereals as standard-rated. Outside food, the note confirms zero-rating for certain educational workbooks and other school-use materials (with newspapers and magazines standard-rated), essential personal hygiene items, domestic travel between Trinidad and Tobago, and steelband instruments. It also reiterates zero-rating for a range of agricultural inputs and services, and for specified healthcare and medical supplies, while flagging exceptions such as artificial teeth and dental fittings and spectacle frames being subject to VAT. The Ministry directs readers to its website for the full list of zero-rated items and VAT-exempt services.
Ministry of Finance (Trinidad & Tobago) 2025-10-17
Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Finance amends VAT zero-rated schedule and reduces the standard VAT rate to 12.5% from February 2016
Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Finance amended Schedule 2 of the Value Added Tax Act, detailing zero-rated items and confirming a VAT rate reduction from 15% to 12.5%, effective 1 February 2016. The update clarifies zero-rating across product categories, distinguishing between basic items and their variants, and specifies zero-rating for certain educational materials, hygiene items, domestic travel, and agricultural inputs. Goods and services not on the zero-rated list remain subject to VAT.