“But we want to thank all those who have participated thus far and are continuing to participate, but we are also making a general plea to our varying taxpayers out there who have arrears to take advantage of this amnesty program, because what it seeks to do is to reduce your taxes significantly by eliminating penalties and interest 100 percent. Once May 1st is gone, it means therefore that all penalties and interest will be reinstated, which means that you would be back into your normal position, which may make life a little more difficult for your cash flow. And so the government’s intention here is to benefit the taxpaying public by allowing their cash flow to be better by taking advantage of the program as it is right now.”
Montrope implores taxpayers against complacency in meeting their tax obligations to the IRD. He warns that there will be no extension beyond the amnesty deadline.
“If you’re thinking or procrastinating that it may continue and choose not to benefit from this period, I’d encourage you to come into the department to settle your taxes, because the amnesty definitely will not continue after May 1st.”
He is also urging taxpayers who are unsure of their status to visit the department and verify whether they have any outstanding liabilities. Meanwhile, Acting Assistant Comptroller Lisa Goodman said the IRD has expanded its services to make it easier for taxpayers to meet their obligations.
“We have help desks set up, one at JQ Rodney Bay, which we have every year, and this year we have a station at the Castries City Council’s conference area, where we are offering filing services to taxpayers. All our locations are open. I’m happy to say all our locations are open and available to assist taxpayers. So taxpayers in the south can visit our Soufrière office; those in Vieux Fort can visit our Vieux Fort Tax Service Center. Our Bridge Street branch is open and taxpayers can visit us we’re on the third floor of the ECFH building. Our help desk at Castries City Council has moved up to the waterfront now taxpayers will be served on the first floor and the third floor. Taxpayers can also get assistance at our Gablewoods office; we have our property tax office and they will be assisting taxpayers file as well. And in the north, we have our help desk at the JQ Rodney Bay Mall.”
In addition to in-person services, the IRD is encouraging taxpayers to utilize any of the three available filing options: the traditional paper-based method, a downloadable tax return form, or the e-filing platform, which provides a faster, more efficient, and convenient way to submit returns.
“We also are providing Saturday services. This Saturday is our last Saturday; taxpayers can take advantage. We are open on the waterfront, first floor, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Also, our Vieux Fort office will be open on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Taxpayers have… we’ve given them the opportunity, there’s no excuse for anybody not meeting the deadline of March 31st. We encourage you: get your documents, come in and file, so as to avoid the late filing penalty. We also want to encourage persons that if they are owing upon filing, that they should try their best to make that payment or sit with one of our collections officers to make a payment plan to ensure that that debt is covered as soon as possible.”
Goodman encourages taxpayers to ensure that they have the correct tax code, particularly with the recent changes to the tax regime. Staff of the IRD she said are committed to assisting taxpayers.