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2025 Budget Passed After Intense Three-Day Debate

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs responding to questions, while PM Dr. Luc Mercelina and Gumbs support staff look on.

~ Record 15 motions, two amendments tabled ~

PHILIPSBURG--After three days of sometimes intense debate and two marathon sessions, the Parliament of St Read more

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Finance Minister Tables New 2025 Draft Budget, Reports Strong Start To Fiscal Year

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs presented a new draft 2025 national budget to Parliaments Central Committee on Monday, outlining projected revenues of Cg 586 million and expenditures of Cg 577 million, resulting in a forecasted surplus of Cg 9 million.

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Minister Gumbs Announces 2025 Tax Tables Publication

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs.

PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Finance has officially published the 2025 tax tables, providing taxpayers, employers and employees with essential guidance for accurate tax calculations, withholdings and filings.

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Cbcs Symposium Focuses On Improving St. MaartenS Stats

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs and TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten at the forum.

PHILIPSBURG--The Central Bank of Curaao and St Read more

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Civil Servants To Get 8% Vacation Pay And 2% Retroactive Increase This Year

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs addressed concerns regarding the vacation pay and retroactive indexation for civil servants during the live Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday.

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Ser Submits VisitorS Tax Advice To Brug, Proposed Tax $15 Per Adult, $10 Per Child

From left: VSA Minister Richinel Burg, Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs, TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten and SER chairman Read more

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Coci Welcomes Finance MinisterS Initiative To Combat Tariffs Impact

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) said on Tuesday that it welcomes what it referred to as the proactive initiative by Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs towards forming a dedicated task force to assess and mitigate the impact of the pending US tariffs on global trade.

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Curtains Close On Naf. As Minister Gumbs Launches The Birth Of The Caribbean Guilder

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs performed the symbolic and official exchange from NAf to the Cg to bring the very first Caribbean guilder into circulation at the CBCS St Maarten office on Monday. Looking on is CBCS President Richard Doo Read more

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President Of Parliament Wescot-Williams Rejects Approval Of Final Text 2025 Budget

Page one of the letter sent to the PM and finance minister.

PHILIPSBURG--President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has informed Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Luc Mercelina a Read more

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Finance Minister Gumbs Reviewing Taxation On Tips

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs (second right) and members of her team in Parliament on Monday.

 PHILIPSBURG Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs is reviewing the taxation of tips, Read more

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Gumbs, Teatt, Vsa Meet With Ser On Proposed Tourist Tax Law

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs on Wednesday reiterated her commitment to implementing a tourist tax as part of broader tax reforms aimed at reducing the financial burden on the working population.

Speaking at the live Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday, Gumbs said a meeting was held with the Social Economic Council SER to address concerns and questions regarding the proposed tourist tax legislation Read more

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Priority Service For Elderly, Seating Improvements At ReceiverS Office

PHILIPSBURG--Priority service for the elderly and seating for clients comfort are improvements that Finance Marinka Gumbs has instituted at the Receivers Office.

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Gumbs: Study Needed As To Why Soul Beach No Longer In Aruba

~ MOU to be signed with SCDF ~

PHILIPSBURG--A clearer study needs to be conducted as to why the Soul Beach Music Festival is no longer in Aruba, says Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs.

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2% Cola For Subsidised School Teachers Paid To Schools Last Week

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, announced on Tuesday evening that long-awaited two per cent cost-of-living adj Read more

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Govt. To Explore Charging Airlines To Use Airspace As Revenue Stream

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs.

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs in conjunction with Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommun Read more

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Gumbs Presents Conservative 2025 Draft Budget, 574M Income, 572M Expenditure

Members of the Council of Ministers in Parliament on Wednesday for the start of the central committee meeting on the draft 2025 budget.

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs on Wednesday tabled what she referred to as a conservative draft 2025 budget which shows a projected income of NAf Read more

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Vehicle Tax Fees To Be Adjusted In 2026 Based On Weight, Personalised Plates

PHILIPSBURG--Motorists will be paying the same fees for their motor vehicle tax in 2025, however, government plans to adjust the fees for 2026, Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs announced on Wednesday.

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Gumbs Launches Finance Friday With Minister Of Finance This Week

Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs.

PHILIPSBURG--Starting this Friday, November 1, Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs will meet with members of the public at her office for direct Read more

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Minister Of Finance Warns Merchants To Stop Imposing Purchase Limit For Cards

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs.

~Says offenders will be blacklisted~

PHILIPSBURG--Businesses in the country that continue to impose a purchase limit on consumers who use their debit or credit cards for payments, can be blacklisted, have their machines taken away and not receive a machine from any bank in the country.

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Min. Fin. Says Civil Servants, Subsidized Schools To Get Cola At Same Time In 25

Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs.

PHILIPSBURG--There will be no distinction between civil servants and subsidized schools in terms of payment of Cost of Living Adjustment, (COLA), next year, Minister of Finance, Read more

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Finance Min. Presents Amended Ennia Agreement, Country To Save Naf. 37M

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs in Parliament on Friday.

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs presented Parliament with an addendum to the Ennia Outline Agreement on Friday and urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to approve the amended agreement, which she said will save the country approximately NAf Read more

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Gumbs Streamlines Process For Third-Party Invoicing

Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs

PHILIPSBURG--With effect from September 1, third-party vendors that have delivered goods and services to the government of St. Maarten will be required to submit their invoices centrally to the Ministry of Finance Accounting Department. The invoices can be forwarded electronically to the email addres Read more

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Gumbs Asks Cbcs To Correct Controversial Billboard In Town

The CBCS billboard near the Salt Pickers roundabout in Philipsburg.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs has requested that Central Bank of Curaao and St. Maarten (CBCS) President Richard Doornbosch have what she referred to as the controversial billboard promoting the new Caribbean guilder, which is placed near the Salt Pi Read more

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Gumbs Announces 2.1% Aps Pension Increase

APS building

CAY HILL--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs on Wednesday morning announced that APS pension will be indexed by 2.1% retroactively to January 1.

  She told reporters at the live Council of Ministers press briefing that the adjustment is a result of APS coverage ratio of 109% at the end of 2023.

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