VAT standard rate
On December 1, 2019, Barbados introduced a new tax reform that obliges non-resident digital service providers to pay 17.5% VAT.
Vat zero rate
Applies to the supply of educational and scientific literature on electronic media.
Threshold
There is no threshold after which it is necessary to register as a VAT payer. Registration must be completed before the first sale of services to Barbados.
Currently, the Barbados tax authorities are preparing further step-by-step instructions on the functioning of VAT for non-resident companies providing digital services.
Registration procedure
The application for registration is submitted online to the Tax Administration Management Information System (TAMIS). It is then reviewed within 5 days, and with all the necessary information, the taxpayer number is approved.
Tax representative
Appointment of a tax representative is not mandatory, but it is possible for further resolution of cases at the request of the company.
Keeping records
In Barbados, all tax records, including tax invoices, ledgers, proforma accounts, invoices, and other records related to the payment of VAT, must be kept for 7 years after the end of the reporting period. All these records may also be stored electronically but must be easily accessible to supervisory authorities.
Filling VAT return and payment date
Reporting periods in Barbados for VAT are two months. Therefore, the declarations must be submitted using the Barbados Revenue Authority’s (TAMIS) system and paid by the 21st day of the month following the reporting period in an online format.