A car wash proprietor hopes for a reasonable Value Added Tax (VAT) increase in the 2023-24 National Budget.

Sangeeta Devi hopes that the final decision on TAX rate to be made by the Government will satisfy small business owners like her.

Her family car wash business named, ‘Car Super Shine Station’ was established during COVID-19 pandemic.

It has been the only income generating source for her family members.

During the week Ms Devi, her mother, Premila Devi and a staff handle all car washing jobs.

Men in the family help them during the weekend on their days off from work.

They also sell hot dogs, palau and coffee with snacks at their station.

The mother of two children said the business supported the family.

“At the moment everything is picking up and the business is running normally,” she said.

“For small businesses we anticipate a balanced budget because if VAT goes up, the rent also will go up, the staff wages may also go up.”

At the recent Fiji Institute of Chartered Accounts Congress 2023 in Nadi the Minister of Finance, Biman Prasad said the rate of 9 per cent VAT would be increased.

The zero-rated VAT on 21 essential items remains.

These include sugar, flour, rice, canned fish, cooking oil, potatoes, onion, garlic, baby milk, powdered milk, liquid milk, dhal, tea, salt, kerosene, cooking gas, soap, soap powder, toilet paper, sanitary pads and toothpaste.

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