TAD warns taxpayers against income tax deadline

The Tax Administration Department (TAD) said it will be taking strong action against individuals and businesses that failed to meet Monday’s deadline to file income tax returns.



The department says persons who had requested an extension will not be penalised as long as payments are made before March 31.



Director of Public Relations at the department, Merris Haughton, said a computerised compliance system will be used to detect self-employed persons, companies and other businesses, which have not filed income tax returns or paid taxes due.



A failure notice will then be sent to those individuals giving them 2 weeks in which to respond.



Ms. Haughton says if a response is not made during that period another warning will be sent in addition to an estimate of the amount owed plus a 50 percent surcharge.



She says persons could then be brought before the courts where they could be fined up to $100,000 for failing to file their returns.