Following the postponement of the issue of paper tax returns to individual tax payers for the year ended 5 April 2020 last month, the Income Tax Division has confirmed they will now be issued on 6 May 2020.
Acknowledging the month’s delay, the deadline for the submission of personal income tax returns before the imposition of any penalty will be extended from 6 October 2020 to 6 November 2020, whether the return is submitted online or in paper format.
In the interests of the safety and welfare of customers and staff, the public counter on the Second Floor of Government Office remains closed. Anyone with queries should contact the team either by telephone on +44 1624 685400 or email incometax@itd.treasury.gov.im
However, as the Division always receives a large number of enquiries immediately following the issue of returns, it would be appreciated if you would only get in touch with urgent matters.
Many of the officers who work in the Income Tax Division are currently engaged in other duties during the current crisis. It is therefore highly likely that the processing of assessments and any refunds is likely to take longer than in previous years, and this should be taken into account when submitting your return.
The team would also like to remind customers that a comprehensive suite of Online Tax Services is available to help you submit your tax return and receive assessments, as well as making and receiving payments from your own home at a time suitable to you.
Almost half of all taxpayers now use this increasingly popular service. If you have not already enrolled, you can do so by calling the Division on +44 1624 685400 or visiting gov.im/onlineservices
Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan MHK said:
'I fully appreciate that many of you may wish to visit the office for assistance with your tax return but in the interests of safety it is unfortunately not possible at the current time.
'The Income Tax Division is fully committed to providing an excellent standard of customer service at all times, but please bear in mind when you are considering making any enquiry that there are fewer officers available as many are providing assistance in other areas.
'I would also ask for your patience and understanding in the processing of your tax assessments and refunds this year, which are clearly going to have slower turnaround times than usual.
'However, I would emphasise that priority will be given to those taxpayers who are entitled to the repayment of tax where it is abundantly clear that the current crisis is resulting in financial hardship.'
