VAT is a tax charged on most goods and services that registered businesses provide in The Bahamas. It is also charged on goods and some services that are imported from outside The Bahamas.  It is a tax on consumption ultimately paid by the final customer but collected and remitted to the Comptroller of VAT by businesses.
 

To be registered for VAT you need to be “in business”, meaning that you are carrying on any continuing activity which is mainly concerned with making supplies of goods or services to others in return for a consideration.  If you make an isolated or “one-off” sale you are not considered to be “in business” for VAT purposes.
 

Taxable supplies are generally considered to be those goods and services made or provided in The Bahamas.  Also some goods and services made or provided in The Bahamas but are used or their benefits or advantages are enjoyed by a recipient that is outside of The Bahamas are considered taxable supplies.  To be taxable, these goods and services must attract a VAT rate of zero per cent or the standard rate of 7.5%.  They do not include supplies that are exempt
 

Read more detailed information on VAT from our General And Industry Guides.
 

The Bahamas Online Tax Administration System (OTAS) will be available October 15^th, 2014 to register and manage taxpayer accounts.  Services that will be available online include:

1. Taxpayer Registration
2. Change in Circumstances (taxpayer profile and status)
3. Return Filing
4. Payments
5. Refunds
6. Objections and Appeals
7. Taxpayer Enquiries
8. User Online Account Management

(Online services will be phased in)

VAT is of interest to individuals or businesses/non-individuals that are:

• liable for VAT
  • you are above the VAT threshold and are therefore legally responsible to collect VAT on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas or
  • you are below the VAT threshold but want to legally collect VAT on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas
• or not Liable for VAT
  • you are below the VAT threshold and have no desire to collect VAT on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas

You would be interested in this service as:

1. An Individual liable for VAT.  This is a sole proprietor, trader or Trustee that carries out taxable activities that are over the threshold.  Special note:  If you are a sole proprietor with multiple businesses trading under different Trade names, you will need to register one of the businesses for a TIN and VAT Account.  All the other businesses will be registered under this TIN.  The additional business(es) will be treated as “branches” for VAT purposes and be issued VAT certificates.
2. A Non-individual Liable for VAT.  This refers to companies, partnerships (limited or otherwise), non-profit organizations, government, or any other organization that carries out taxable actives and is over the VAT threshold.
3. An Individual not liable for VAT*.  A “natural” person who may or may not be in business.  If they are in business, they must be below the VAT threshold to be considered not liable for VAT.  An individual not liable for VAT may register and receive a TIN but they will not be issued a VAT Certificate and they cannot charge VAT on any goods or service.
4. A Non-individual not liable for VAT*. This is a business or organization carrying out taxable activities and fall below the VAT threshold.  A non-individual not liable for VAT may register and receive a TIN but they will not be issued a VAT Certificate and they cannot charge VAT on any goods or service

*Individuals or non-individuals not liable for VAT who register may need to do so in order to conduct business with the government.  Example, they might be a Representative of a taxpayer or they require a refund due to overpayment of VAT.

1. Sign-up for a free User Account
2. Once you have an account, login using your user name and password.
3. Click the button “Register A New Taxpayer”
4. Complete the application; check the declaration which indicates that the information is correct, and that you accept the terms and conditions of the site.
5. Submit the online form.
6. An online acknowledgement is immediately seen supplying you with a reference Registration Case Number and the time period within which you will be responded to.
7. An e-mail with your Registration Case Number will be sent to you.
8. The application will be vetted by a Registration Officer.  The officer may contact you to verify information or request supporting documents.
9. Once approved for VAT, an email notification will be sent to the applicant indicating the following:-
   • Assigned Tax Identification Number (TIN)
   • Department category assigned to (very large, large, medium, small, very small.  Based on your total taxable sales)
   • Filing frequency  (monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, annually)
   • Accounting basis (basis for reporting VAT)
   • Method of reporting (flat-rate or standard rate)
   • A VAT Registration Certificate will be attached to the email notification.

If rejected, you will receive an email stating the reason for rejection.  You can contact the VAT Department to get assistance.
 

If approved for TIN only registration, the email notification will contain a TIN Registration Certification document which will indicate the TIN and the effective date of Registration.

All registrations for VAT must be completed and submitted online. The PDF forms are made available for informational purposes only. Starting October 13, 2014, fill out and submit your online VAT registration at vat.revenue.gov.bs

Click here for VAT forms.

Supporting documents will not be needed at the time of registration but may be required before an approval is given.  The type of supporting document is subject to the taxpayer and tax.

Related fees vary on the various tax type.

For all enquiries email us at:
vatcustomerservice@bahamas.gov.bs

We will endeavour to answer all emails within 5 working days.

Telephone: (242) 461-8050
VAT Hotline: (242) 225-7280
Fax: (242) 361-4034

Postal Address:

Value Added Tax Department
Gladstone Freight Terminal
P.O. Box N4866
Nassau, N.P.
The Bahamas