Standard Integrated Government Tax Administration System

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to be able to update this Honourable House on a major milestone for our tax administration system in the Virgin Islands which is targeted to go live by the end of this month.

SIGTAS is the Standard Integrated Government Tax Administration System, a software solution that helps Governments manage their tax revenue and compliance. Madam Speaker, it is presently utilised by over 30 countries around the world, including the Virgin Islands. SIGTAS 3.0 is the latest version of the system, which offers several new features and enhancements that will benefit both the tax authorities and the taxpayers.

Some of the key benefits of SIGTAS 3.0, Madam Speaker, include the following :

• Improved user-friendly interface and navigation, which makes it easy to navigate and perform various tasks, and also easier and faster to access and process information;

• It has integrated online services, which enables clients to register, file, pay and communicate with the Department of Inland Revenue electronically, saving the taxpayer, time and hassle;

• Enhanced security and data protection, ensuring that confidential information is safeguarded and compliant with international standards;

• Increased automation and integration, reducing manual work and errors and enabling seamless communication between different modules and systems;

• Expanded functionality and flexibility, allowing for additional customisation and configuration options to suit the specific needs and preferences  of the BVI tax system.;

• The system is web-based, which means clients can access it from any device with an internet connection, such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone; and

• It has improved reporting and analytics, which allows us to generate more accurate and timely reports and statistics on tax performance and compliance.

Madam Speaker, in October 2021, the SIGTAS 3.0 upgrade was deployed in phases. The following have been completed to date:

1. D2- Application Deployment, which included User Acceptability Training and
2.  

2. D3- Technical Upgrade which included SIGTAS Core Modules; and

3. D6- E-tax Delivery which included e-Registration, e-Tax, and e-Payment .

Madam Speaker, the final phases of the project will involve the training and support of the end users, the launch and operation of the new system, the evaluation and feedback of the new system, as well as the resolution of any technical issues that may arise.

I would like to take this opportunity, Madam Speaker, to make a public appeal to all taxpayers (Individuals and businesses) to register, as new unique Tax Identifier Numbers (TIN) are now being assigned and are necessary for the full launching of this system.

To help clients prepare for this transition, Madam Speaker, the Government has a dedicated team of experts who are ready to assist taxpayers with registration. We have also established kiosks at the Inland Revenue Department for taxpayers to register. Officers are available to provide assistance to clients. Taxpayers are required to provide a valid passport or driver’s licence, along with their Social Security card, and an email address to register. Online registration is also available at http://www.eregisterfortax.gov.vg.

Madam Speaker, the SIGTAS 3.0 upgrade is a significant milestone for the Virgin Islands as it will enable The Territory to further introduce a state of the art medium to improve our tax administration efficiency and effectiveness, as well as to provide better service and value to our taxpayers. It also ushers in a new era for allowing taxpayers greater access and flexibility for online payments via the Government’s e-payment gateway.

Madam Speaker, the Inland Revenue Department is in the final stages of testing the following modules:  1) financial statements; 2) payroll;  and 3) opening balances. These three modules will complete the full cadre of services to modernize the tax payment process and we are on track for the live launch date by the end of this month.

Before I close, Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hard-working project team comprised of officers from the Inland Revenue Department and the Department of Information Technology for their unwavering support to this project.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.