Joel A. Lee, CPA, director-nominee of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), reminds all bona fide residents of the Virgin Islands that they are required to file their individual income tax returns in the Virgin Islands with the Bureau.
“Bona fide residents of the Virgin Islands must not file their individual income tax returns electronically or by mail with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS),” said Lee.
This is a violation of the law. The income tax return is only considered filed on the date that it is received by the BIR, not the date received by the IRS. Taxpayers who receive erroneous refunds from the IRS will have to repay the erroneous refund issued by the IRS and will be subject to penalties and interest. The due date for tax returns this year is Monday, April 15.
Taxpayers are also reminded that the 2018 tax return has been revised. The format has changed significantly, so taxpayers are asked to review the tax return and ensure that the information being provided is accurate. Taxpayers must use Form 1040 to file their 2018 taxes. Forms 1040A and 1040EZ are no longer available for use by taxpayers.
Self-employed taxpayers are required to file two tax returns: the individual income tax return (Form 1040) and the self-employment tax return (Form 1040SS). Form 1040 is filed with BIR. The self-employment tax return must be mailed to the IRS. Please do not include payment of self-employment taxes on your Form 1040.
Lee reiterates that there is no electronic filing in the Virgin Islands. Taxpayers must submit or mail the returns to the BIR for processing.
