As Washington Eyes 3.5% Transfer Tax, Haitians Still Burdened by $1.50 Fee That Yields No Visible Progress
By The Haitian Pulse Staff
June 10, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bill moving through Congress could make it more expensive for Haitian migrants to support loved ones back home — adding insult to injury in a system where remittances are already taxed on both ends.
The Republican-led “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” includes a proposal for a 3.5% excise tax on all international money transfers made by non-citizens, including green card holders, visa holders, and undocumented immigrants. Naturalized U.S. citizens are currently exempt.
If passed, this new tax would go into effect January 1, 2026, further penalizing the very workers whose labor fuels both the U.S. economy and the survival of families across Haiti.
A Lifeline Under Threat
Remittances sent home by the Haitian diaspora totaled more than $4.2 billion in 2024, representing almost 30% of Haiti’s GDP. These funds provide food, medical care, school tuition, rent, and more for millions of families.
“That $300 I send home every two weeks is not extra money — it’s survival,” said Nadège Joseph, a Haitian home health aide in New Jersey. “Now they want to take more of it, like we’re a problem they need to punish.”
If the tax passes, a $300 transfer would carry an additional $10.50 in U.S. taxes — before any wire fees. And that’s not the only cut Haitians face.
The $1.50 Tax That Still Hurts
Since 2011, the Haitian government has imposed a $1.50 fee on every money transfer received in Haiti, supposedly to fund education through the “Fonds National pour l'Éducation (FNE).” But more than a decade later, most Haitians say they’ve seen no measurable improvement in schools, access, or educational infrastructure.
“The $1.50 was supposed to educate our children,” said Frantzline, a teacher in Cap-Haïtien. “But schools are closing, teachers go unpaid, and children are out of class. Where did the money go?”
The Haitian government has collected tens of millions of dollars from this remittance tax alone — yet the education system remains critically underfunded, and the public has been given little to no transparency.
Double Taxation, Same Struggle
With both the U.S. and Haitian governments dipping into these vital transfers, working-class migrants are being squeezed from both directions:
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In the U.S.: Proposed 3.5% tax on remittances by non-citizens
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In Haiti: $1.50 fee on every money transfer received
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Wire fees: Additional costs paid to services like Western Union or MoneyGram
“We send money home to build futures,” said Jean-Robert Desulme, a Haitian truck driver in Boston. “Instead, both governments are chipping away at that future like it’s theirs to take.”
What Happens Next?
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The U.S. remittance tax bill has passed the House and awaits action in the Senate.
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If approved and signed by the President, it becomes law in 2026.
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No repeal or reform has been proposed for Haiti’s $1.50 remittance tax, despite years of diaspora frustration.
📣 What You Can Do
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Contact your U.S. senator and oppose the remittance tax.
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Demand transparency from Haitian officials about where the $1.50 funds have gone.
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Stay connected to diaspora platforms like The Haitian Pulse for updates.
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Speak out. Your voice matters.
“Every Haitian migrant is a silent pillar holding up a crumbling nation,” said activist and organizer M. Étienne. “It’s time both governments stop treating us like ATMs and start showing real accountability.”
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you been impacted by the remittance fees or have concerns about how your money is being used? Leave a comment below. Let’s amplify our voices — and protect the lifeline we provide to our people.
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