12 Dec 2023
Press Release #7 End of Year
END OF YEAR PRESS RELEASE
The Comptroller of the Inland Revenue Department would like to remind all persons with outstanding balances owed to the Government of Anguilla to have these bills settled on or before 31st December 2023.
BUSINESS LICENCES
All business owners are reminded that Business Licences expire on 31st December 2023. Please note that it is an offence to carry on a business without a valid licence in accordance with Section 5 of the Licensing of Businesses Act. Under Section 27, offenders are liable on summary conviction to a fine of EC$5,000.00 or imprisonment of three months.
If a business owner fails to renew their business licence after it has expired and continues to operate without a valid licence, the licence shall not be renewed until the business owner pays the arrears for the period that the business was operating without a licence. A penalty of 1% of the total arrears shall also be applied.
RENEWAL OF BUSINESS LICENCES
The Inland Revenue Department reminds all business owners to come in on or before 31st January, 2024 to renew their Business Licence for the year. All Business Owners will be required to complete the Renewal of Business Licence on the IRD Online Portal at www.services.gov.ai.
Business owners who have not paid their Business Licence fees for 2023 should note that they are now past due. Officers of the Inland Revenue Department will be making inspections of all businesses in the first quarter of 2024 to ensure adherence to the Licensing of Businesses Act, 2021.
If there are any proposed changes to your business operations, the business owner will be required to submit a letter to the Business Licensing Board at the Ministry of Economic Development requesting or explaining the applicable changes.
NEW BUSINESSES
Persons interested in opening a new business should obtain a licence prior to operation. All application forms are available at the Inland Revenue Department. Upon completion of the form, please submit to the Ministry of Economic Development, Commerce Unit for approval.
LIQUOR LICENCES
All persons operating a restaurant or local business that sells liquor, should obtain a licence according to the Liquor Licence Act 2010, Section 41.
First time applicants would be required to make an application at the Court 21 days before the next Liquor Licence Court.
Additionally, persons who have not yet submitted their application for renewal for 2023, should do so by applying to the Court before the next Liquor Licence Court. The next Liquor Licence Court will be held on Tuesday, 2nd January 2023 at 9:00am.
Persons operating without a valid Liquor Licence are subject to be fined EC$9,600.00, according to the provisions of the Liquor Licence Act 2010.
DRIVER’S LICENCES
All persons holding 1 or 3 year Driver’s Licences are asked to please check their licences for the expiry date. Expired licences should be renewed at the Inland Revenue Department without delay.
The Traffic Department will be making routine checks and persons found without a valid licence will be fined accordingly. All persons renewing their Driver’s Licence are required to take a new photo.
VEHICLE LICENCES
Vehicles are licensed according to the last digit of their registration number. Persons with registration numbers ending with 0 to 9 and who have not renewed their licence should do so promptly.
Information on unlicensed vehicles will be submitted to the Traffic Department of the Royal Anguilla Police Department, who will be making routine checks. Persons found driving an unlicensed vehicle will be fined accordingly.
PROPERTY TAX
Property owners who have not paid their bill in full by 1st June 2023, are reminded that the second half of their property tax was due and payable at the Inland Revenue Department on or before 1st December 2023. If payment has not been made, please do so by 31st December, 2023.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Please be advised that the Inland Revenue Department accepts Master and Visa Debit and Credit Cards. Payments for Goods and Services Tax, Universal Social Levy, Property Tax and Business Licences are also accepted on the IRD Online Portal at www. services.gov.ai.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The regular hours of operation are 8:00am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday. Please note that the Inland Revenue Department will be open from 8:00am to 1:00pm on Friday, 22nd December 2023, and from 8:00am to 10:00am on Friday, 29th December 2023. The department will be closed on the following public holidays: 19th, 25th and 26th December 2023 and on the 1st January 2024. We will resume normal operations on Tuesday, 2nd January 2024.
Please be advised that all relevant Acts and regulations will be strictly enforced, and all concerned parties are urged to take note of this directive.
The Inland Revenue Department extends heartfelt appreciation for your
cooperation throughout 2023. Your commitment to fulfilling tax obligations contributes to the prosperity of our community. As we approach the festive season,we wish you a Merry Christmas filled with joy and a Happy New Year marked by success and prosperity.
Ref: IRD-PR-7-2023
Full press release document can be found here: Press Release #9 - Liquor Licence 2023