The deadline to file personal income tax returns for the Year of Assessment 2023/24 is 30th November, 2024 and is fast approaching and many individuals are in a panic trying to figure out their tax status and tax compliance obligations. This article intends to address in an FAQ format some common but important questions individuals have with respect to their tax obligations.
At the outset it must be noted that the tax payment deadlines on a self-assessment basis have already lapsed for the Year of Assessment 2023/24. However, it is a commonly known fact that people work best after the deadline has passed and when they are in a panic!
These are the main tax deadlines set for Individual Income Taxpayers
It is also pertinent to note that as per Section 113 (1B) of the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017 and amendments thereto (IRA), it is mandatory for individuals to file their returns online through the e-services portal of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) website, effective Year of Assessment 2023/24. In other words, manual filing of income tax returns is no longer accepted. The Commissioner General of Inland Revenue (CGIR) has the power to permit the filing of a manual income tax return under “just and equitable” circumstances. However, this power is discretionary. Hence there is no guarantee that you will be given permission to file a manual return in the coming return filing cycle.Â
