Two-thirds of islanders still to submit 2022 tax returns
ONLY a third of islanders have submitted their 2022 tax returns so far, with just seven weeks until the deadline.
The Revenue Service is expecting about 33,000 personal returns to be submitted.
‘12,772 personal tax returns for 2022 have been submitted so far, of which 9,988 were submitted online (78%),’ a Revenue Service spokesman said.
This compares to 63% of 2021 personal returns being submitted online.
While no tax returns were submitted on Christmas Day, there were 35 submitted on New Year’s Day.
‘586 personal returns for 2022 have been submitted online since the New Year,’ the spokesman added.
The tax office has been tackling a backlog of returns in recent years, but the spokesman said islanders with simple tax affairs can expect a response quite quickly.
‘A straightforward return submitted online can be processed automatically, then the assessment will be generated overnight and posted the next day,’ the spokesman said.
‘However we would ask customers to be aware that in some cases it can take more time if additional checks are required.’
No reminders were sent out in 2021, leading to thousands of phone calls and in-person visits to the tax office from panicking islanders over a couple of days.
Reminders were reinstated last year, and the tax office confirmed that reminders would be issued in February ahead of this year’s deadline.
‘Currently, we intend for these to be sent by post, however we are encouraging all customers that contact us to indicate a preference for digital communications within their MyGov account, so that in future reminders can be issued by email,’ the spokesman said.
For those keen to get their 2023 tax affairs in order, 2023 online returns will be made available in March, after the 2022 filing deadline has passed. The paper returns will be available from Edward T Wheadon House from the end of April.
‘But whenever you complete your return, we would encourage you to do so online, as there are a number of additional benefits, which include faster processing, an immediate assessment for straightforward returns, and pre-populates for the next year,’ the spokesman said.
People submitting online will also get an email confirmation of submission and a pdf of the return submitted.
The 2022 tax returns must be submitted by 29 February to avoid fines.
For more details visit https://www.gov.gg/tax.
