Returns for 2024 were due by Sunday, 30 November, but the deadline was extended yesterday as a result of ongoing problems with a new IT system at Revenue Services.
Despite being recently installed at a cost of £24m., there were concerns that the new system may have crashed if thousands of returns had been submitted at the end of this week.
Policy & Resources' treasury lead Gavin St Pier told the States that 'intermittent issues with public online access over recent weeks' had persuaded the new director of the Revenue Service, Jean Mehers, to push back the submission deadline by two months.
'A key reason for extending the deadline is that online returns are strongly encouraged, as they should reduce errors and accelerate processing through automated risk assessment,' said Deputy St Pier.
'Providing additional time will help ensure the online service is stable and accessible for customers who wish to file digitally.
'While the deadline has been extended, customers are still encouraged to file as early as possible, and not to leave it to the last minute, to help reduce pressure on the system and support a smoother flow of processing and assistance.'
The Revenue Service will continue to hold drop-in sessions to assist with online registration and submission. Blank paper forms will remain available from the usual locations and can now also be collected from Edward T Wheadon House without needing to queue to see a member of staff.
Although more than 30,000 tax assessments were issued between April and July, only about 3,160 had been finalised since September, as staff had been concentrating on processing nearly 6,000 repayments due from an earlier batch of assessments.
About 2,500 of those repayments have been processed since September and overall just over 3,600 have been finalised.
'Repayments are being processed manually while the new automated system is being finalised, tested and implemented. Clearing this backlog remains their top priority,' said Deputy St Pier.
States chief executive Boley Smillie said in the summer that one of his top priorities was turning the beleaguered Revenue Service into a 'model of excellence' for the public sector, but he warned it would take time after years of chaotic change.
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