Barbados will levy VAT on Digital Services

Barbados has joined various other countries around to world by also introducing VAT (17.5%) on digital services. The new tax measure will apply to foreign suppliers of digital services to local consumers on the Caribbean island. The foreign companies must apply, collect, and remit VAT on their digital sales. Such rules are also in place in the Bahamas at the other end of the Caribbean.

The new measure on digital service VAT  will effect:

• The collection of VAT on goods and services purchased online from a vendor outside Barbados where the goods and services are for consumption in Barbados.

• The collection and transmission of VAT on goods and services purchased online from local vendors by consumers in Barbados where the goods and services are for consumption in Barbados and the transaction is processed outside Barbados. 

• The collection and transmission of VAT on goods and services purchased online (Amazon or eBay) from local vendors by persons outside Barbados where the goods and services are for consumption in Barbados; and for related purposes.

 From 1^st December 2019, foreign suppliers of digital services must register with the country’s Tax Administration and file their VAT returns quarterly.

It is important to know that there is no minimum sales threshold. The registration obligation exists from the first sale and another additional rule applies: invoices must also be issued to the purchaser of the digital services.

Global VAT Compliance specializes in helping international businesses be VAT compliant worldwide offering VAT solutions to Digital Companies. Contact us for more information info@gvc.tax.

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