BAJANS ARE KNOWN for doing things “last minute”.
And this morning scores of taxpayers were true to this trait when they turned up at the Inland Revenue Department to get assistance to file their annual income tax returns on what was supposed to be the last day of the exercise.
A few who spoke with the DAILY NATION were unaware that the deadline had been extended until May 7 without incurring a penalty.
That extension was announced yesterday by Revenue Commissioner Margaret Sivers who explained that during the transition period to the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA), there were a few days when the system was not accessible to taxpayers.
“In addition, there was the Easter weekend and Heroes Day when the public would not have been able to access our employees for any assistance. We therefore felt that an extension was warranted to enable taxpayers to have the full benefit of a month to complete their tax returns,” said Sivers.
The commissioner also urged those who have not yet filed to do so immediately, pointing out that failure to deliver a return of income by the specific date or to estimate the tax payable would incur a penalty of $500 and five per cent of the tax assessed and unpaid.
Quizzed on why they waited until the scheduled last day to file, one woman said she usually waited until the last week to do so all the time.
“It’s just a habit,” she said with a shrug of the shoulder.
A man, who also declined to give his name, said “the time get away from me, so I decided to come today because when you owe Government they does kill you with interest. I in doing that again.”
Along with Sivers’ statement yesterday, the department stated that those desirous of filing taxes online should visit https://etax.ird.gov.bb, while those in need of assistance or additional information should contact the customer service section of the department. (SP)
