Revenue service opens 2025 returns despite backlog

Guernsey's Revenue Service has opened tax returns for 2025 despite a backlog from previous years, in a bid to stop the organisation falling further behind.

The service said it recognised opening new returns came at a time when "many people" were still waiting for an assessment or repayment from a previous year.

It said a recovery plan was being put in place to progress older cases and outstanding assessments to "bring the service back to where it needs to be over time".

Head of service delivery Scott Bloomfield said opening new returns "might seem counter-productive" but it was "the only way" it would be able to catch up.

In January, the Revenue Service apologised after delays in processing meant it had to pay out more than £260,800 in late income tax repayment supplements to islanders.

It said the recovery plan would focus on prioritising essential work, including processing outstanding repayments.

The service also requested people do not chase unanswered emails, "even if this was from months ago", as addressing email backlogs formed part of the recovery plans.

Although some islanders are still waiting for an assessment or repayment, the Revenue Service encouraged people to complete their 2025 tax return.

It said the 2025 returns would be worked on alongside the wider recovery activities to "help ensure that a new backlog does not develop".

"On the surface, it might seem counter-productive to invite more tax returns at a time when we already have plenty to assess, but it's important that we not only look at outstanding work but also continue to process more recent returns," said Bloomfield.

"This is the only way that we'll actually be able to catch up and get the level of customer service back to where it needs to be."

Bloomfield said another way people can help the service is by completing their tax return online if they have access to the internet.

Tax returns for 2025 opened on 10 March and close on 30 November 2026.

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