Parliament passed the Miscellaneous (Removal of Tax Exemption for International Companies) Amendment Bill 2026 on Tuesday, aiming to remove the country from the European Union (EU) tax blacklist. 

The second reading of the bill took place on 16 December 2025, and the bill’s year was corrected from 2025 to 2026 during the parliamentary sitting.

The bill targets foreign companies registered under the 1988 Foreign Companies framework. According to a report that was questioned by Deputy Opposition Leader Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, "about 4 per cent of companies registered with the Samoa International Financial Authority (SIFA) are European, while the remaining 96 per cent are Asian," and further questioned how much money SIFA would be receiving if European countries were to deregister. 

Chairman of Finance and Expenditure Tilafono David Hunter noted that the financial impact is still being assessed and that some Asian companies may choose not to re-register because of the EU blacklist.

During the debate, Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi suggested reducing taxes for foreign companies to encourage registration, citing strategies used in neighbouring nations such as Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. He said that without such measures, Samoa could struggle to attract foreign investment and generate revenue for the national budget.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt defended the bill, saying it is intended to “restore Samoa’s reputation” after "it was dirtied during your (Tuilaepa) time." The Prime Minister noted that “companies come and go," and the new government has ways to subsidise funds. Tuilaepa also questioned the government’s oversight of SIFA, noting the Prime Minister was not present when the authority was established.

In other parliamentary business, the House observed a moment of silence for Laumatiamanu Mathew Ringo Purcell, former Minister of Sports and Recreation, who passed away on Sunday, January 11.