The prime functions of the BRA include assessing, collecting and enforcing the payment of taxes, duties, interest, penalties, fees and other sums payable under the specified enactments; advising the Government on matters contained in the Barbados Revenue Authority Act and regarding taxation; and representing Barbados in respect of matters relating to taxation.
In addition to administering the Income Tax Act, Cap.73, of the laws of Barbados, the Department has responsibility for several other statutes and provides varied services to both individuals and the corporate sector. Some of these services are listed below:
Annuity Contracts are registered by the Barbados Revenue Authority in accordance with the Income Tax Regulations.
The Barbados Revenue Authority's Customer Service section welcomes persons to visit for assistance on any tax matter (currently limited to appointment only due to COVID-19 measures).
Our Customer Service locations are open from 8:30 am-4:30 pm and located at:
- Ground floor, Bridge St. Mall, Bridgetown
- Holetown Public Centre, Holetown (next to police station)
- Warrens Tower II
The Barbados Revenue Authority is responsible for the registration of:
- Corporations
- Sole-Traders & Partnerships
- Benevolent Organisations
- Superannuation Funds
- Annuity Contracts
- New Employer for PAYE
- Registered Retirement Savings Plan
- Recording Covenants
- Maintaining records of persons entitled to tax concessions under International Business Companies (IBC), Exempt Insurance companies (EIC), Societies with Restricted Liability (SRL) etc, legislation
- Approving refund of Registered Pension Plan Contributions on termination of employment of plan member.
- Processing refunds of witholding tax
- Granting extensions of filing dates for companies, partnerships and self employed persons
- Approving fiscal periods for companies and granting requests for changes thereto
- Certifying tax status of specified income types in relation to individuals and companies under the Barbados/UK tax treaty.
- Preparing certificates for Contracting States in relation to income earned and tax withheld in respect of non-residents
For more information about each of these services, please click here.
Most governmental agencies and some financial institutions require to persons produce a Tax Clearance Certificate from the Barbados Revenue Authority in order for certain applications to be considered.Tax Clearance Certificates usually differ according to their purpose or the place i.e the organization for which they are required. There are three types of Tax Clearance Certificates for which you can apply:
The main requirement for obtaining a Tax Clearance Certificate is ensuring that one’s filing is up-to-date and there is no tax due or outstanding. This relates mainly to Individuals as well as Corporations although in some instances there are other requirements that should be met.
For more information about each Tax Clearance, please click here.
The Barbados Revenue Authority researches information for Tax Rulings/Double Taxation Treaty interpretations.