Treasury officials will issue December salaries earlier than usual to coincide with the upcoming three-day Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax reduction period, the government announced Thursday.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said the decision is intended to ensure public-sector workers receive their earnings before the ABST drops from 17% to 7% on December 19, 20 and 21. He said the early payout will give households more flexibility to take advantage of the reduced tax during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

Merchant noted that the ABST reduction is part of a wider Christmas relief package that includes the temporary return of the Christmas Barrel Initiative and duty-free importation of hams, turkeys and whole chickens through December 25. He said the combination of tax relief and adjusted salary timing is expected to stimulate retail activity and ease seasonal financial pressure on families.

The government did not specify the exact disbursement date but said salaries will be paid “preceding the 19th of December,” allowing workers to access funds before the relief weekend begins.

The Cabinet expects the early payment, together with cost-of-living measures already in place, to support both consumer spending and small businesses during the holiday period.