Would anyone have information on staying in Aruba or Bonaire for more than 180 days?

My wife and I are US citizens and we will be living on a boat. We would do this for logistical reasons for our family and friends. Obviously we don't want to pay local taxes as residents. Is there a transient loop hole in the governments language that would allow us to stay past the 180 day maximum per year at a financial minimum and if so, what would be the cost?

In short, is it possible to stay at a marina in Aruba for 6 months then cruise to a marina in Bonaire for 3 months and then to Curacao for 3 months without registering for a permanent residence and without having SS checks taxed.

Thanks in advance for any input.

M&R





(Message edited by rejbarber65 on July 18, 2009)

Actually the limit for Bonaire is only 90 days in a calendar year for precisely the reason you point out..you don't want to pay taxes here! The government provides services to its citizens and legal residents who do pay taxes and has taken a hard line on those who try to find loop holes to avoid joining the tax base. So far, the government has been spotty in enforcing the regulations but they are becoming more sophisticated in their record keeping. The laws in Aruba are different than ours since they are considered a foreign country. Bonaire and Curacao are the same country and for purposes of immigration considered one in the same when it comes to the amount of time you can stay. Again, it is not widely enforced.....yet. Again, cruisers do spend money on island and contribute to the economy but so do the residents who in addition pay taxes. Tourists also spend money but also pay $5.50 per day per person in tax. The mooring fee a cruiser pays is not a tax but is used to cover expenses for the moorings. If you go back about 15 years, there was a proposal that sail boats should pay $100.00 per day. It may come to pass!