Reverse Tax Credit
With effect from income year 2007 where any employed individual - (a) who is resident in Barbados, and (b) who earns less than $15,000 annually but not more than $1,250 monthly; applies to the Commissioner in such forms as the Commissioner approves, within 2 years of the income year in which the earnings were paid, that person shall be entitled to a credit of $800.
 
Subsection (1) shall not apply - (a) to self-employed persons (b) to directors of companies that are controlled by 5 or less persons (c) to beneficiaries of a trust or an estate within the meaning of Section 40, or (d) in respect of earnings payable to the estate of a deceased person SECTION 65D
 
In determining whether a person mentioned at 1(b) above qualifies for the credit, consideration must be given to the following:-
Qualifying Levels of Earnings
That weekly or biweekly earnings when aggregated should not exceed $1,250 for the month. However minor fluctuations of the monthly pay should not disqualify a person from obtaining the credit, provided the monthly amounts when aggregated, do not exceed the annual limit of $15,000 which is the more critical and overriding factor here.
 
Partial Employment
where a person has commenced or ceased employment during the year but had earnings not exceeding $1,250 monthly or $15,000 gross for the year, then those persons are entitled to claim the credit; commencement date of employment and date employment ceased must be ascertained if not provided. This would assist in determining the monthly level of earnings.
 
17 Year Old - Entitlement
Where the conditions stipulated at 1(a) and (b) above are met, an individual under the age of 18 years may not be denied entitlement to the credit by virtue of age. However the parent(s) of that individual is not entitled to claim child allowance for that individual under Section 38B(1)(d).
 
Fulltime Student – Non-entitlement
Where a person under the age of 25 years but not under the age of 17 years at the end of the income year was during the income year receiving full time instruction at an educational establishment whether in Barbados or abroad and that person was employed part time during the said income year, then that person is not entitled to claim the credit.

Dual Work Status – Other Income
An employed person who is an artisan may also have other income from self-employment, in which case that person is not entitled to claim the credit.
 
Other Benefits, e.g. Meals, Live-in Accommodations
In addition to wages, a live-in maid or other home helper may be enjoying fringe benefits which when quantified may void entitlement to the credit. An employer completing the Certificate of Earnings (A47:009A form) must provide this information, if relevant.
 
Non-Payment of NIS Contributions
The non-payment of NIS contributions by employer or employee or both should not in itself constitute a criterion for disallowing outright a claim for the credit even though the payment of these contributions do assist in establishing the creditability of the employer and employee and that they do have an arm’s length relationship. Cases of non-payment of NIS Contributions may be referred for investigation.
© 2008 Department of Inland Revenue, Treasury Building, Bridge Street, Bridgetown, Barbados
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