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Presumptive tax legislation was introduced to broaden the revenue base in view of the increase in informal business activities. Selected sectors of the economy were targeted to ensure the participation of informal businesses in tax payment.

Self-employed professionals presumptive tax

With effect from January 1, 2021 there was a new insertion on the sectors that pay presumptive tax. This insertion added professionals to the lists of categories subject to presumptive tax.

The presumptive tax is paid by self-employed professionals who would not have submitted income tax returns for the previous year of assessment.

Self-employed professional is an individual who earns income, on his or her own account or as a member of a partnership, as:

1. a) an architect registered or required to be registered under the Architects Act (Chapter 27:01);
2. b) an engineer or technician registered or required to be registered under the Engineering Council (Chapter 27:22);
3. c) a legal practitioner registered or required to be registered under the Legal Practitioners Act (Chapter 27:01);
4. d) a health practitioner registered or required to be registered under the Health Professions Act (Chapter 27:19);
5. e) real estate agents registered or required to be registered under the Estate Agents Act (Chapter 27:19); and does not include any individual in possession of a tax clearance certificate to the effect that he or she has furnished a return under section 37 for the last year of assessment for which such a return is due;