18 Dec 2023

Press Release 8# Business Licence Renewal

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) would like to notify business owners that business licences expire on 31 December 2023. Therefore, all businesses licence holders are reminded that their business licence is due for renewal by 31st January 2024.

This year, business licence renewals will be facilitated on the IRD Online Portal effective 8th January, 2024. Business owners who are not yet registered are required to visit services.gov.ai to obtain access to the portal. When logged in, navigate to the “Licence Tab” and view the licence details. Licences applicable for renewal will show a renewal tab. Select the tab "Renew licence." Business owners will then be required 
to review the details of their business and confirm that they are true and accurate. Once that is done, an assessment will be generated containing payment reference details. Payment can be made directly through the Online Portal using a credit or debit card, by bank transfer (including the payment reference number) or at the cashier. If there are any changes to the registered business details, a letter must be written to the 
Business Licensing Board at the Ministry of Economic Development requesting or explaining the change, as applicable. In cases where changes are required, online renewal will not be allowed and the Board will advise the next steps.

Upon completion of the renewal process and the requisite payment made, the business owner or the registered authorized representatives of the establishment or business can visit the Inland Revenue Department to collect the business licence certificate. Business owners are reminded that the business licence certificate must be publicly and prominently displayed on the site location or premises. Officers of the IRD will be making inspections of all businesses in the first quarter of 2024 to ensure adherence to the Licencing of Businesses Act, 2021.

If a business owner fails to renew their business licence on or before 31st January 2024, a penalty of 1% of the total arrears shall also be applied as per the aforementioned act. Furthermore, the current year licence shall not be renewed until the arrears for the period the business was operating without a licence has been paid.

If your business is no longer in operation, you will be required to complete an Application for Closure Form. Once submitted, a Compliance Officer will review all accounts associated with the business to determine if it meets the requirements for closure. This may also include a site visit to the business location. Any business that has been closed for a period of three (3) years will be required to submit a new Application for Business to the Ministry of Economic Development, Commerce Unit.

Business owners who have not renewed or have outstanding arrears for previous periods as well as other taxes are required to contact the IRD Compliance and Collection Unit with immediate effect. A Compliance Officer will be available to discuss suitable arrangements to rectify accounts.

Business owners are reminded that representatives must be registered. Additionally, companies bearing the suffix LLC., Inc., Ltd., or Limited Partnerships must provide a copy of their company’s Article of Incorporation or Annual Filing Returns prior to collection of the Business Licence certificate. Furthermore, other relevant Government fees and licences must be up-to-date and valid including Liquor Licences, Food Premises and Food Handlers Licences, Fire Prevention Certificate of Compliance and Work Permits for Non-Anguillians.

The IRD continues to modernize our environment to provide convenient and efficient service to taxpayers. Through the online portal, taxpayers can easily access tax forms, stay up to date with information, manage tax affairs, and file tax returns at their leisure. We also encourage all taxpayers to visit our website at www.ird.gov.ai to learn more about the department and taxes administered.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the IRD at (264) 497-8334 or email us at inlandrevenue@gov.ai.

Thank you for your usual cooperation and best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year. 

Ref: IRD-PR-8-2023

Full press release document can be found here: Press Release #8 - Business Licence Renewal