June refunds

More than 90 000 Barbadians filed income taxes this year and from next month Inland Revenue will begin issuing refunds.
Inland Revenue senior inspector Neville Clarke acknowledged yesterday that more than 90 per cent of them, 80 000, had been done online up to the end of last month’s deadline, an improvement over last year.
“We are going to be rolling from next month. Once we have completed our testing, some people should be getting refunds some time in June. Those who filed early will start getting refunds first,” he said.
There were just about 10 000 paper returns this year compared to the 83 639 online up to yesterday.
“Quite a few people filed online this year by due date, more than last year, and we are pleased. The $500 penalty for late filing would have had something to do with the improved response this year,” he said.
Clarke added that the department’s public relations programme that included town hall meetings had been a success.
Read the full story in today’s DAILY NATION.