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BRA gives top-up tax guidance

Shawn Cumberbatch
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BRA gives top-up tax guidance

The clock is ticking for multinational enterprise (MNE) groups required to comply with corporation top-up tax requirements and the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) is making sure that they have all of the information needed for them to meet the requirements.

The BRA has issued five guidance notes on its website to help the MNE groups and other stakeholders meet the June 30 compliance deadline.

It “strongly encourages” taxpayers to review these notes thoroughly and seek professional advice where necessary for compliance assistance.

The six-page guidance note on Payment of Top-Up Tax makes clear that there are financial consequences for late payment of the tax, specifically penalties and interest.

“Where a qualifying entity fails to pay domestic top-up tax by the statutory due date, penalties and interest may apply.

Penalty

“A qualifying entity that fails to pay domestic top-up tax; or pays the tax after the prescribed deadline, may be liable to a fixed penalty of $1 000 payable to the [Revenue] Commissioner; and interest at a rate of one per cent per month on the outstanding amount,” the BRA advised.

“Interest accrues monthly on the highest amount of unpaid domestic top-up tax and accrued interest outstanding during the relevant period until the liability is paid in full.”

This latest stage of the process tied to the enforcemennt of the global minimum tax overseen by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development follows Barbados’ recent signing of the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) for the GloBE Information Return (GIR).

The GIR MCAA enables automatic tax data exchange for the global minimum tax and eases duplicate reporting across member jurisdictions.

The Authority published the notes after stakeholder engagement and seminars, reinforcing its commitment to taxpayer support and compliance.

The new tax regime was introduced through the 2024 Corporation Tax reform and the enactment of the Corporation Top-Up Tax Act, 2024-16.

The top-up tax requires in-scope multinational groups to pay at least a 15 per cent effective tax rate on profits in each jurisdiction where they operate.

Engagement

Revenue Commissioner Jason King welcomed stakeholder engagement and renewed his commitment to supporting taxpayers.

“The introduction of the top-up tax is a significant development in international tax,” he said.

“We recognise that the requirements can be complex for affected entities. These guidance notes give practical information on filing and payment. They also explain other essential aspects to help taxpayers navigate the process with confidence.”

King added that the BRA continues to engage stakeholders, including through recent information sessions with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados and BIBA, the Association for Global Business.

“We are committed to a smooth transition to the new reporting and payment framework. Taxpayers can very shortly expect more information on the GIR and details on how to make payments,” he added. ( SC/PR)

Container truck on fire at Hinds Hill traffic lights

Nationnews Desk
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Container truck on fire at Hinds Hill traffic lights

Fire personnel are on the scene of a container truck fire at the Hinds Hill traffic lights, in St Michael.

More details will be provided as they become available.

Somali referee denied US entry for World Cup will receive full FIFA fee

Nationnews Desk
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Somali referee denied US entry for World Cup will receive full FIFA fee

 Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who ​was denied entry into the ‌United States to officiate at the World Cup, will be paid his full tournament ​fee.

The Trump administration said the ​United States had denied Artan entry ⁠for the World Cup because of ​his links to “suspected members of ​terror organizations”.

A source familiar with the matter said even though Artan will take no part ​in the World Cup, FIFA ​has committed to paying his salary.

Artan, Africa’s referee ‌of ⁠the year in 2025, was set to become the first Somali to officiate at soccer’s global showpiece, ​but ​was turned ⁠back by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

However, he returned ​home to a hero’s welcome ​while ⁠European soccer body UEFA appointed him to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match ⁠between ​Paris St Germain ​and Aston Villa in August. (Reuters)

‘Comply with fire safety protocols’

Diara Springer
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‘Comply with fire safety protocols’

Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance Chris Gibbs is urging landlords to comply with fire safety requirements, while also pledging to reduce the dangerous density of urban housing.

The St Michael West Member of Parliament said some house fires revealed evidence of overcrowded properties, blocked exits and tightly-packed neighbourhoods where blazes can spread rapidly between homes, putting lives at risk.

Speaking at a Stop, Think, Act: Fire Safety Matters panel discussion on Saturday hosted by the St Michael West and City of Bridgetown District Emergency Organisations at St Mary’s Primary School in The City, Gibbs recounted three fires he attended in three weeks.

The third, which occurred at a multi-room rental property, proved the most harrowing, he said. A young woman lodging upstairs had no means of escape when the blaze broke out.

“There was no back door. There were no stairs going down. There was only one way out. She couldn’t get out and she passed away,” Gibbs recalled. “If you are a landlord, make sure that you abide by safety protocols and procedures for your tenants, because these things can happen.”

He also spoke of a broader structural problem: the dangerous density of housing in urban areas in St Michael, which can cause fires to spread rapidly between properties.

Reduce density

“My job . . . is to reduce the density of the urban areas,” the minister said. He pointed to a planned 1 200 home development in Vineyard, St Philip, featuring green spaces, sports courts and a running track, as the kind of solution needed to draw residents away from overcrowded communities.

On building standards, Gibbs said while Barbados has one of the most advanced building codes in the region, it has rarely been enforced. He added that his ministry is working with the Ministry of Transport and Works to strengthen its implementation so that people “build properly and safely”.

The panel featured police and fire officials as well as personnel from Department of Emergency Management.

Sub Officer Ryan Glasgow of the Barbados Fire Service conducted a practical demonstration covering several essential fire safety tools.

He said smoke detectors should be placed at the highest point of the ceiling rather than on a wall, as since smoke and hot combustion gases naturally rise, this allows it to trigger an alert far more quickly and reliably.

(DDS)

Met Office puts country on alert after continued drought in wet season

Natanga Smith
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Met Office puts country on alert after continued drought in wet season

Barbadians are being told to prepare as the country remains under drought warnings until the end of next month.

Despite the official start of the wet season on June 1, there are concerns over declining groundwater reserves, pressure on aquifers, agricultural production and the country’s overall water security.

Meteorological assistant at the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS), Keoni Williams, said Barbados has already “entered the wet season at a deficit”.

“The precipitation outlook indicates below-normal to normal rainfall accumulations in the wet season, which raise serious concern on the current drought situation and the rainy season for 2026 which can compound the 2027 dry season.”

The BMS has therefore issued agricultural and hydrological drought warnings until the end of July, followed by drought watches through to October.

“There is the high possibility that this could put strain on the freshwater and agricultural sectors this wet season,” Williams warned.

The outlook is especially concerning as the country depends almost entirely on groundwater stored in underground aquifers for its potable water supply. Hydrological drought occurs when those groundwater reserves decline and fail to recharge at the rate needed to sustain demand.

While many may point to recent showers and tropical waves as evidence that conditions are improving, meteorologists say drought is not measured by a few rainy days.

“Near-average rainfall does not equate to high precipitation accumulations and no drought,” Williams explained, adding that the 30-year average rainfall for May was only 74.1 millimetres, compared with 162.6 millimetres in September, one of the island’s wettest months.

“Scoring close to near-average rainfall in May still contributes to drought,” he stated.

Adding to the concern is the growing likelihood of El Niño – a warming of the ocean surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures, in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

“El Niño events typically promote sinking air over the Caribbean, which suppresses cloud development and rainfall. Therefore, from a qualitative perspective, the El Niño phase in the Pacific is likely a major contributing factor to the drier conditions currently being experienced in Barbados.

“For clarity, the Barbados Meteorological Services is not suggesting that the entire wet season will be characterised by drought. Rather, we are projecting a wet season that includes periods of dryness or dry spells between intense and sporadic rainfall events,” Williams told the DAILY NATION.

He said that distinction was critical because heavy rainfall does not necessarily translate into replenished aquifers.

“Good water capture requires slow, steady rainfall that allows water to percolate into our soil and wells and be captured in our aquifers. Hence, intense rainfall events do not fully justify the lifting of drought warnings or watches.”

The warning comes as Barbados enters what forecasters expect to be another active Atlantic hurricane season. While tropical waves have already begun affecting the island every two to three days, the BMS said residents should not assume that the hurricane season automatically means an end to drought.

“The public should take note and prepare not only for intense rainfall and hurricane-related weather during the wet season, but also for the likelihood of dry spells and heat events occurring within it. In previous years, during periods of heat events, our local health officials indicated that prolonged heat and humidity can pose significant public health risks, including heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” Williams said.

“These conditions can also increase the risk of dehydration, reduce cognitive function and concentration, and elevate health risks at night when temperatures remain high and the body is unable to adequately recover from daytime heat. These forecasts are issued with high confidence, based on sound meteorological and climatological analysis.”

Barbados last imposed a nationwide water prohibition in 2023, restricting the use of potable water for activities such as watering gardens, filling swimming pools and washing vehicles as drought conditions and reduced groundwater levels threatened supplies. The restrictions were later extended through August before being lifted following improvements in groundwater recovery and rainfall outlooks.

It also imposed significant droughtrelated water restrictions in 2016 during a severe regional drought linked to El Niño conditions.

No new water prohibition has been announced. Officials said: “BMS collaborates with the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) on our national inter-seasonal rainfall forecasts, with the intention that it adds value to any decisions that the BWA could/would make, which in their expert opinion needs to be made when it comes to a prohibition or any other measures.” (NS)

Japan battle back to draw 2-2 with Netherlands in Texas thriller

Nationnews Desk
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Japan battle back to draw 2-2 with Netherlands in Texas thriller

Japan showed their battling qualities to eke out a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their World Cup Group F opener on Sunday as Hajime Moriyasu’s side backed up their desire to make ​an impact at the tournament with a gritty display.

Daichi Kamada was credited with his side’s all-important second ‌goal two minutes from time when the ball deflected off the Crystal Palace midfielder’s head to beat Bart Verbruggen after Koki Ogawa had powered his header towards goal.

The equaliser was Japan’s second of the match. The Samurai Blue had gone behind to Crysencio Summerville’s curling strike having ​seen Keito Nakamura cancel out Virgil van Dijk’s 51st-minute opener.

Japan had gone into the match at Dallas Stadium without ​Wataru Endo, who was withdrawn from the squad due to injury by Moriyasu, but the four-time ⁠Asian champions responded to the loss of the influential midfielder with a determined performance.

“The players did a solid job of ​carrying out what we had targeted and prepared for,” said Moriyasu.

“There had been various incidents even before the opening match. But ​in that first match, there was a real sense of unity.

“Even with unexpected accidents and situations we had not anticipated, I think the players stayed calm and composed and overcame the reality in front of them.”

Japan needed to show their composure from the early stages with Zion ​Suzuki forced to deny Donyell Malen, the Japan goalkeeper palming the ball over the bar in the third minute.

That early warning ​jolted Japan into taking control of possession, a move that limited openings for both sides.

Hiroki Ito’s defensive work frustrated Malen in the 34th ‌minute ⁠and, from the resulting Tijjani Reijnders corner, Suzuki kept out the forward’s header.

Nakamura almost put Japan in front late in the half, pulling his shot wide of Bart Verbruggen’s right post having been found by Ritsu Doan’s searching cross while, moments later, Ayase Ueda hit the side netting.

The Netherlands threatened from the start of the second half and earned a deserved reward six ​minutes after the resumption when ​Van Dijk scored.

Reijnders’ free kick ⁠was headed clear by Doan to Frenkie de Jong and he shuttled possession to Ryan Gravenberch for the Liverpool man to send an inviting cross towards his clubmate, who nodded beyond ​Suzuki via the inside of the post.

Japan had been second best after the interval but ​within seven minutes ⁠they levelled when Nakamura drove a deflected strike into the bottom corner from Takefusa Kubo’s cutback.

Parity lasted seven minutes as the Dutch reclaimed the lead through Summerville, the West Ham United winger bending a perfectly placed left-foot strike around Suzuki from just inside the ⁠area.

Kubo shot ​over the bar with an effort on the run as Japan sought ​to respond again and, with two minutes remaining, their efforts paid off.

Ogawa powered his header towards goal and, with the ball taking a deflection off the ​head of the unwitting Kamada, Verbruggen was unable to deny the Japanese a second equaliser. (Reuters)

Germany cruise to 7-1 win over debutants Curacao in Houston

Nationnews Desk
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Germany cruise to 7-1 win over debutants Curacao in Houston

Germany began their World Cup campaign with a thumping 7-1 victory over debutants Curacao on Sunday in a match where ​history was made on several fronts and the one-sided result could not overshadow the occasion for the island nation.

Germany’s ‌Felix Nmecha scored the fastest goal of the tournament so far after six minutes and Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz (two), Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also netted in an easy outing for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.

But the biggest cheer from the 68,021 crowd came for Livano Comenencia’s 21st-minute equaliser for Curacao to score ​their first goal at a World Cup as they became the smallest nation by population size and area to play ​at the global finals.

Curacao’s sizeable support enjoyed their historic day out under Dick Advocaat, who became the oldest ⁠coach in World Cup history at the age of 78, and cheered to the end on an occasion perhaps most believed would ​never come.

“We expected to do more against Germany, but they were too strong,” Advocaat said. “We conceded three easy goals and 4-1 would have been ​a better score.

“Despite this 7-1 outcome, the joy of the fans is fantastic. This is not a disgrace, we can still be proud. We still have two games to go and those could end differently.

“The players will not be downcast, it was still great to play in this game.”

Recalled goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is ​now also the oldest player to feature for Germany at a major tournament aged 40, beating the previous record holder Lothar Matthaeus.

“It ​took us a few minutes to get back into the game after they equalised,” Nagelsmann said. “Curacao can play football too, as we saw, and I’m curious ‌to see ⁠how they’ll fare in the group going forward.

“I’m very satisfied with us scoring seven goals and our performance for the most part. A winning start is always important and we’re glad we managed it.”

Curacao can take some cold comfort from the fact that the scoreline in their Group E opener matched Germany’s 7-1 win over hosts Brazil in the 2014 semi-finals and that on their day ​the four-times World Cup winners can ​be unstoppable.

This was not quite ⁠at that level, but the Germans were still largely clinical, controlled possession and created chances at will to send a message to rivals at this World Cup that they should be in the conversation around ​potential winners.

Curacao are known as The Blue Wave but instead it was wave after wave of ​white shirts that confronted ⁠them from the start.

Parity lasted six minutes before Germany’s quick passing on the edge of the box created a scoring chance for Nmecha, but the second goal was scored by Curacao as the plan to hit their opponents on the break worked.

Comenencia’s shot from 15 metres took a ⁠deflection that ​lifted the ball past Neuer.

Germany were back in front after 38 minutes, though, with ​a simple glancing header by Schlotterbeck and from there it became a procession. (Reuters)

Fogging Schedule: June 15 to 19

Nationnews Desk
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Fogging Schedule: June 15 to 19

Various districts in Christ Church, St. Thomas and St. Michael will be visited by the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Vector Control Unit next week.

The team will be in Christ Church from Monday, June 15, to Wednesday, June 17, and then they will move on to the other two parishes.

The fogging exercise will start on Monday at Enterprise Coast Road, Coral Lane, Aurora Drive, Shore Street, Coral Drive, Surf View Road, Pearl Avenue, Oyster Lane, Bow Bell Avenue, Sunrise Street, Ocean Mist Drive, Seaside Drive, Sail Ridge, Sea Breeze Avenue, Lighthouse Drive, Springs Terrace, Garner Drive, Atlantic Shores, Green Garden and environs.

On Tuesday, June 16, the Unit will spray Sea Egg Avenue, Round Rock, Ealing Park South, Jasper Avenue, Coral Avenue, Park Side Drive, Madison Gardens, Sunflower Drive, Ealing Grove Gardens, Alexis Drive, Hopewell Road and neighbouring districts.

Hopewell Development, Burke’s Avenue, Bourne’s Land #2, Trotwood Close, Sayers Court and environs will be visited on Wednesday, June 17.

The team will turn its attention to St. Thomas on Thursday, June 18, when Fryer Hill, Rock Hall Freedom Village, Rock Hall Development 1st to 4th Avenues, Content Tenantry, Porey Spring, Spring Farm, Dunscombe, 1st Ave Canefield, Canefield and environs will be fogged.

The fogging exercise will conclude on Friday, June 19, in the St. Michael districts of New Orleans Avenues 1 to 10, Rock Gap, Kensington New Road, 1st to 3rd Chapman Lane, Mason Hall Street, Cat’s Castle, Lake’s Folly and surrounding areas.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the fog.          

The public is advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time. (BGIS)

Hamilton ends Antonelli’s run with first win for Ferrari

Nationnews Desk
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Hamilton ends Antonelli’s run with first win for Ferrari

 Lewis Hamilton celebrated an emotional and historic first grand prix victory for Ferrari on Sunday to end Kimi Antonelli’s five-race sequence of success ​and become, at 41, Formula One’s oldest winner since Australian Jack Brabham in 1970.

The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix triumph was the Briton’s first win since Belgium in 2024 — 41 ‌races ago when he was at Mercedes — his record seventh in Spain at the Circuit de Catalunya and 106th of the seven-time world champion’s extraordinary career.

Italian Antonelli, the 19-year-old championship leader for Mercedes, retired five laps from the end with an electrical shutdown while in second place and saw his lead over Hamilton slashed to 41 points.

It was his first setback of an otherwise prodigious season and the first defeat of 2026 for Mercedes.

George Russell finished second for Mercedes, after starting on ​pole and being overtaken by Antonelli late in the race, with McLaren’s reigning champion Lando Norris third for his second podium of the year.

Antonelli has 156 points to Hamilton’s 115 ​and Russell’s 106 after seven rounds. Mercedes have 262 to Ferrari’s 190 in the constructors’ standings.

“Grazie a tutti a Maranello,” Hamilton said over the radio ⁠in a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone at the Ferrari factory he joined from Mercedes last year.

“You’ve helped me achieve this dream and I can’t thank you enough. Thanks for everyone pushing so ​hard back at home. I’m so proud of you.”

The win was also a first since 2024 for Ferrari and the first time three British drivers had shared the podium since the 1968 U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins ​Glen saw Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill and John Surtees sweep the top three places.

Late triple champion Brabham was 43 and 11 months when he took his last F1 victory in South Africa. Hamilton turns 42 next January. In more modern times, Britain’s 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell won in Australia in 1994 at 41 and three months.

“I’m just happy in my life, so I’m in a good place. I love doing what I do. There’s no greater feeling than ​racing a Formula One car,” said Hamilton, who benefited from a virtual safety car triggered by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso to make a cheap third stop and come out still ahead on fresh tyres.

“There ​is a long, long way to go and they (Mercedes) have still got great pace, as you can see. But we are going to keep working and trying to close that gap. It’s not over, that’s for sure.”

Red Bull’s four-times world ‌champion Max ⁠Verstappen finished fourth with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri fifth and Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar sixth.

Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto were seventh and eighth for Renault-owned Alpine, but the Argentine later lost the place after collecting a 10-second penalty for failing to slow for a yellow flag.

That lifted Racing Bulls pair Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad to eighth and ninth with Colapinto 10th.

Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc retired after a reported power steering problem while he was heading for a top-five finish. (Reuters)

Knicks defeat Spurs to snap 53-year NBA title drought

Nationnews Desk
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Knicks defeat Spurs to snap 53-year NBA title drought

 The New York ​Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on Saturday to claim their first NBA championship since 1973, putting the long-suffering franchise ‌back on top and unleashing mass celebrations across the city’s five boroughs.

Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 45 points as the Knicks closed out the best-of-seven NBA Finals in five games, just days after completing the greatest comeback seen in the championship round.

Comebacks have been the theme for the Knicks this series as they rallied from double-digit deficits in all four ​of their Finals victories on the way to their first championship in 53 years.

“I’m in awe,” an ​emotional Brunson said during on-court celebrations as he soaked in the moment. “Whenever someone counted us out, we found a ⁠way to come back and do something about it.”

Brunson was named Finals MVP after his relentless performance saw a strong contingent of traveling Knicks fans ​chant his name moments before he was crowned with the honor.

“It’s everything we dreamed of,” he said of winning the championship. “It’s why I came to New ​York.”

San Antonio started strong once again, taking a double-digit lead in the first 12 minutes. But New York crawled back in the second quarter as Brunson started to come alive, slowly cutting a 16-point deficit to trail by five points at halftime.

A quick transition play early in the third quarter set up Frenchman Victor Wembanyama for a dunk. That ​spurred a rally from the Spurs, who led by as much as 12 points before the Knicks eventually slashed the deficit to five.

A three-pointer from ​Dylan Harper, who was red-hot for the Spurs all night with 25 points off the bench, restored San Antonio’s double-digit lead though it was cut to seven heading into ‌the fourth ⁠quarter.

New York tied the game with just under five minutes left to play and took their first lead with 3:40 to go. The Spurs were unable to regain the lead after that and the Knicks capped off a dominant championship run that saw them lose just three games in the postseason. (Reuters)

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