WILLEMSTAD – The opposition PAR faction in the Curaçao Parliament is calling on the government to abolish inheritance tax as soon as possible, arguing that the levy creates an unnecessary financial barrier for families while generating substantially less revenue than projected.
According to PAR, inheritance tax can make it difficult for Curaçao residents to take full possession of inherited family land or property. Unlike cash, inherited land does not necessarily provide heirs with the money needed to immediately pay the tax obligation associated with the inheritance.
The party argues that this can result in properties remaining legally untransferred, unused or undeveloped because heirs lack the financial resources to settle the tax.
PAR pointed to government revenue figures that it says demonstrate the limited effectiveness of the tax. In 2022, the government budgeted XCG 4.3 million in inheritance-tax revenue but collected XCG 1.3 million. In 2023, XCG 4.4 million was budgeted while only XCG 1.1 million was collected. In 2024, collections fell to XCG 500,000 compared with a budgeted XCG 4.5 million.
The party said collections increased in 2025 but added that revenue so far in 2026 is again considerably below expectations.
PAR faction leader Quincy Girigorie said the issue should be viewed not only as a question of taxation but also as one of economic development.
According to the party, making it easier for families to obtain full control of inherited land could allow those properties to become productive assets. Families could develop, sell or use the land to generate income, potentially creating opportunities for housing, investment, businesses and other economic activities.
PAR acknowledged that eliminating inheritance tax would not guarantee that inherited properties are developed. However, the party believes abolition would remove a financial and administrative obstacle preventing some members of the next generation from fully accessing family assets.
The faction also pointed to Aruba, which it says abolished inheritance tax in 2018, and argued that Curaçao should move toward a simpler and more effective tax system that is easier for the government to administer and collect.
Girigorie concluded that an inheritance should provide opportunities for the next generation rather than become an obstacle.
“An inheritance should be an opportunity for the next generation, not an obstacle,” the PAR faction said in its statement.