By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Department of Inland Revenue’s top executive has admitted the agency “catches a lot of heat” as it prepares to launch an initiative designed to improve efficiency and turnaround time.

Shunda Strachan, the Department of Inland Revenue’s acting controller, said One Tax Bahamas will be rolled out before year-end 2025 in a bid to improve the taxpayer experience. Acknowledging that the agency receives complaints about its systems and response times, she added that the “grand initiative” will make it easier for users to navigate.

“Inland Revenue catches a lot of heat. I know complaints are always there about us, our response time, how difficult sometimes it is to use our systems, and down times with the systems and all that kind of thing, needing to have two sign-ins, like a sign-in for real property, a sign in for VAT. So I am happy to say that there’s something coming, and it’s called One Tax Bahamas,” said Ms Strachan.

“One Tax Bahamas is going to be a grand initiative, because what it’s going to do, it’s going to really focus on the taxpayer’s experience. So the Government has really allowed the Department of Inland Revenue to improve its systems, and so you will be seeing a whole new look, a whole new feel, all centred around ease, of course, but really focusing on the taxpayer.”

Ms Strachan said the initiative will begin to “heat up” in September, and asked taxpayers to “be patient” as the agency prepares to launch the campaign and deal with consumer complaints.

“We’ve been listening to the complaints that we’ve been getting on our service to the public, and that’s really important to us. We really want to make sure that our taxpayers are not stressed when they’re paying their taxes,” she added.

“And so, One Tax Bahamas, it will mean ease. It will also mean simplicity for the taxpayer. And we’re just looking forward to that. That’s going to be coming. You’re going to hear more about it towards the end of the year, around September. Things are going to start heating up.

“But we just want our taxpayers to know we’ve heard you; just be patient with us. We’re going to come and we’re going to make sure that all of your complaints are dealt with, and One Tax Bahamas is going to be beneficial to all”

The Back-to-School VAT holiday began yesterday, giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase school supplies, electronics, clothing, shoes and office supplies VAT-free until September 6. Ms Strachan said this is an opportunity for businesses to stock up on office supplies or replace computers and equipment at a discount.

“It’s a time when not only the school children and the teachers, and people in the educational arena, get to benefit but businesses need to pay attention as well, because I think it’s a good time to buy office supplies. August 10 is the start, and it ends on September 6. So that’s a long time, almost a month,” said Ms Strachan.

“You can buy personal computers, laptops and tablets, as long as the cost is under $3,000 a unit. For businesses, this is a good time to purchase equipment for your business, computer-related things, accessories like keyboards and monitors and printers, all those types of accessories, as long as the unit cost is under $1,000 per unit.

“There’s no real restriction on clothing because we do take into consideration teachers. They have to buy clothes, too, and so we don’t only limit it to uniform, clothing and footwear. There’s a limit on footwear as well tennis shoes. I think your footwear has to be under $200 per unit.”