Ignore Bogus Emails Says Tax Commissioner
The Bermuda Government has warned there is no truth to an email circulating in reference to a closing date for exemption of stamp duty.
At least one version of the email has ‘Office of the Tax Commissioner’ at the bottom of the message, obviously seeking to give the impression it is an official statement.
The Office of the Tax Commissioner has issued a release in response to a hoax email[s] circulating. They have also provided the official guidance notes on Designation of Primary Family Homesteads, which can be downloaded here [PDF].
The full statement follows below:
The Office of the Tax Commissioner says the public should ignore misleading and unofficial e-mails currently in circulation that give inaccurate information regarding the exemption from payment of stamp duty for a primary family homestead.
A spokesman from the Office of the Tax Commissioner said two such emails had recently come to their attention and one email actually has ‘Office of the Tax Commissioner’ at the bottom of the message.
The origin of the emails is unknown but the public should be aware that neither of the messages were authorized by the Office of the Tax Commissioner and the content of the emails do not represent the policies and procedures of the Tax Commissioner.
The Office of the Tax Commissioner says that contrary to the claims in the emails, there is no closing date or deadline for individuals to submit applications in order to obtain the designation of primary family homestead. Any residential property designated as the primary family homestead is exempt from stamp duty which would otherwise be payable upon the death of an owner. The Office of the Tax Commissioner wishes to reassure individuals that they may continue to submit applications as normal and applications will continue to be processed as normal.
The Guidance Notes on Designation of Primary Family Homesteads is attached. Individuals requiring further clarification should contact the Office of the Tax Commissioner.
