And while consumers capitalized big time on the sales, there were still those unscrupulous business owners who were gaming the system - by pocketing the difference in tax free prices rather than passing it on to consumers.
But, there will be penalties for those who commit offenses - according to the tax office:
Jules Vasquez
"Would you say the incidences of that type of fraud reduced and did it reduce due to consumer awareness, public education or greater vigilance by your office?"
Vilma Broaster, Deputy Director General - BTS
"That's interesting Jules, because while we can say that we did do more education when we found out what happened for the first week, right after that the Monday, the Tuesday, the Wednesday, the Thursday, the Friday, we were on the ground dealing with these business places getting their records so that you know you have what you can see, so that in the event anything changes then you know what then we know what will be our next step."
"So there will always be whereby persons try to defraud, get away, and it up it is up to us to try to find that way to close that loophole. We know we have some work to do and we will do and try and get at those persons we know did commit some offences."
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