This is expected to be special year for the Department of Inland Revenue in Anguilla as far as its record-keeping work is concerned. It is the year when the IRD, as the department is commonly referred to, will implement a new and more efficient and effective Information Technology system.
It is known that last year the UK Government provided financial assistance to the IRD to improve its operations and equipment. Since then, the Department, as well as a number of other Government departments and offices, moved into the former National Bank of Anguilla building where there is a greater amount of accommodation space and, especially in the case of the IRD, more room for members of the public paying taxes and fees.
In a statement on the Government’s website, regarding the 2020 renewal of licences, the Comptroller of Inland Revenue, Mr. Kiel Connor, said: “As the IRD prepares to implement the system, we are undertaking an initiative to bring business licence information up to date. Therefore, we may request additional documents from all business owners, or authorised persons, to complete the renewal of their business.”
The Comptroller’s statement advised:
“All [Licence Applications] forms should be submitted and accompanied by the owner or an authorised representative of the establishment or business. The owner or representative will be required to meet with an officer within the Taxpayer Services Unit to further discuss and update details of your business.”
The Comptroller’s statement went on: “ If your business is no longer in operation, you will be required to complete an Application or Closure Form. Once submitted, we will review all accounts associated with the business before closure and notify you of any outstanding filings to be settled prior to final approval.
“As a courtesy to our customers, we accept payment by cash, cheque, visa or master debit and credit cards.
“The Department asks that customers are compliant and patient with the officers of the Inland Revenue Department during the business licence renewal process. We also ask our customers to remember that these changes to modernise the system will ultimately aim towards making the service the department provides better and more convenient.”
