Barbados Revenue Authority Urges Taxpayers to Verify Third-Party Data for 2024 Income Tax Returns

The Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) has urged taxpayers to verify the accuracy of third-party data uploaded to their online tax accounts before filing their 2024 income tax returns, warning that errors or omissions could lead to delays and complications during the busy tax season.

The call comes at the start of the 2024 tax filing season, with Personal Income Tax (PIT) returns now available online through TAMIS, the tax administration management information system.

The deadline for submitting 2024 PIT returns is Tuesday, April 30.

BRA spokeswoman Erica Lazare told Barbados TODAY there are instances where key data—submitted by employers, trade unions, pension providers, and charitable organisations—may not always be uploaded in time or without error.

“Don’t file blindly,” she warned.

“This is the time to check that the information that has been uploaded on your behalf—your employment income, tax deductibles, pension contributions, trade union dues, and any donations to churches or registered charities—is accurate.”

She noted that taxpayers should cross-check this information against their own records, such as payslips, receipts, and union statements.

If discrepancies are found or information is missing, individuals are advised to contact the relevant organisation responsible for the upload as soon as possible.

“It makes no sense to go and file only to realise later that your employer didn’t report your full earnings for a certain period or that a charitable organisation forgot to upload your donation,” Lazare said, noting that once filed, making corrections can slow the process and create unnecessary delays.

She stressed that while the BRA relies on third parties to provide data, the responsibility ultimately rests with the taxpayer to ensure their profile is complete and accurate before submission.

Over the years, the agency has observed that some third-party submissions come in late or contain errors, she said. To mitigate these issues, the BRA is encouraging early action instead of waiting until the deadline.

“Take this opportunity to verify your tax profile. If you see something missing or incorrect, contact the party responsible—whether it’s your employer, your church, your trade union or pension company—so they can correct it,” she stressed.

The 2024 tax filing season officially opened on Tuesday, and taxpayers are expected to use the online TAMIS system to complete their filings by April 30.

The BRA has made support resources available via its website and social media channels.

The tax collector also reminded taxpayers that early and accurate filing can prevent delays in processing and ensure a smoother experience during the busy filing season.

(SM)