BVI News

You’re forgiven! Cabinet approves amnesty for property tax interest

A section of Tortola. (BVI News photo)

The government has decided to offer some amount of relief to persons who are facing challenges and are currently behind with their property tax payments.

“Cabinet this week, considered and approved the amnesty for the interest accrued on outstanding property tax,” Premier Andrew Fahie said at a press conference last week.

The Premier said his government was cognisant of the hardship faced by residents following the hurricanes of 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We really empathise with persons, and recognise that government has a responsibility to ensure that persons are not left behind, especially in difficult times,” the Premier expressed.

Premier Fahie, who also serves as the territory’s Finance Minister, said the amnesty will run for one year – from March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023 – and emphasized that the amnesty only applies to the interest accrued on property tax payments.

He said an order for persons to have the interest waived, persons must either pay off their principal or agree to a payment plan with the Commissioner of Inland Revenue to liquidate the principal taxed within the amnesty period.

He encouraged persons to pursue the initiative and to take necessary steps to avoid being left out.

“Take advantage of this and do this quickly with payment plans so you can be in good standing before the amnesty closes. Do not delay because you can end up missing out,” the Premier said.

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15 Comments

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  1. Tolian says:

    Why? I pay my taxes diligently every year. if someone is delinquent why should they not have to pay the penalty for it? You’re sending the message that tardiness is ok and there are no consequences. Just not right.

    Like 41
    Dislike 4
  2. Lilly says:

    Sometimes it slip people that these things are due and it is sincerely a slip up. Then there may be others who may be unable to pay at the time, and a penalty will make them take even longer to pay.

    Like 4
    Dislike 6
  3. Irony says:

    So HM Customs is fining yachts all over the BVI seas for annual licenses to bring money into the empty Treasury yet IR is allowing amnesty to BVI land owners for their annual property tax. Seems like large scale discrimination.

    Like 23
    Dislike 2
  4. The only real tax says:

    and the BVI ‘gives it away’..COI matter?

  5. Earl says:

    Looking for votes….

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  6. What did you expect?> says:

    This is the land of no accountability, so no surprise at all. Ask yourself who benefits the most from this decision.

    Like 10
  7. and everyone says:

    gets a free car! thanks to the generous VIP government…what a scam – UK are you watching?

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  8. Pay online says:

    Inland revenue systems are archaic. The property tax list is online, simply add a payment button and we can all pay in seconds from any island without queuing for hours! Then the staff can chase complicated and deliquent accounts (I always seem to get behind someone who takes 2 hours to resolve his property issues). Inland Revenue is the collecting arm of government and is incapable of collecting more than a couple of payments an hour!

    Like 8
    Dislike 1
  9. Right Sed Fred says:

    Thsnks Andrew! VIP all the way!!!

  10. Not Good says:

    Most of the Tax is miniscule. You should be looking to increase the tax rather than give it away.

    Like 4
    Dislike 1
  11. @Not Good says:

    When tax increase you all fussing, so what the problem now.

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