WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao collected significantly more tax revenue than expected during the first three months of 2026, according to new figures released by the Ministry of Finance.
Through March, the government received 557 million guilders in tax income, exceeding the original forecast of 519.4 million guilders by 37.5 million guilders.
The strongest increase came from profit tax revenues, which surpassed projections by more than 23 million guilders. Turnover tax revenues also performed well, generating approximately 10 million guilders more than initially expected.
Additional increases were recorded in motor vehicle tax, property transfer tax, and real estate tax collections.
According to the ministry, the higher-than-expected revenues are largely linked to stronger economic activity and higher corporate profits than previously anticipated.
The government stated that many companies reported stronger financial results, which directly boosted profit tax income.
The ministry also noted that turnover tax revenues continue to remain structurally above budget expectations, supported by projected economic growth throughout 2026.
Not all tax categories showed positive results, however.
Revenues from waste tax fell more than five million guilders below projections, while excise duties on beer and tobacco also underperformed compared to earlier estimates.
The strong tax performance contributes to a provisional surplus on the government’s ordinary budget service.
Still, the Ministry of Finance warned that the overall financial picture remains subject to change because more than 126 million guilders in existing obligations still need to be processed.
As a result, the ministry cautioned that the final budget outcome later this year could ultimately be less favorable than the current preliminary figures suggest.