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The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is encouraging taxpayers to utilise the services being offered as a result of the introduction of its electronic filing.
According to Senior Inspector of the IRD, Neville Clarke, with the introduction of this new tax administration system, taxpayers will be able to register online, prepare and file their tax returns (including 2008 reverse tax credit return form and the 2008 individual income tax return form ) and information returns (starting from the 2008 income year). They will also be able to authorise third parties or tax agents to file on their behalf, request Tax Clearance Certificates, file objections and query the status of their returns.
Mr. Clarke said the website could be accessed at https://etax.ird.gov.bb, after which, persons could complete the registration process by clicking on the relevant link. The information required includes the national registration number, date of birth, first and last names and email address.
The Document Locator Number (DLN) is also necessary to complete the registration process. “This number can be found on Notices of Assessment you would have received for the 2006 or 2007 income year. If you do not have the Notice of Assessment, you should come into the IRD with a valid form of identification in order to receive your DLN and complete the registration process,” the Senior Inspector explained.
He also noted that in addition to the services being offered, several benefits were expected to be enjoyed by the taxpayer as a result of electronic filing, including faster processing of income tax returns. “This is considered of great importance to the taxpayer, since a large percentage of the returns that are filed with the IRD are refunds,” Mr. Clarke said.
He stressed that while the IRD was urging all taxpayers to use the online facilities, the traditional method of filing income tax and information returns on paper, as well as other paper-based services would remain available.