Jersey taxpayers given extra month to settle frozen bills and choose joint returns

Islanders have been given an extra month to decide how to repay outstanding 2019 tax bills and whether to continue filing joint tax returns, after a low response to the original deadline.

Revenue Jersey has extended the deadline for both decisions from 30 September to 31 October.

From the 2026 year of assessment, taxpayers in Jersey will generally be taxed individually, with each person responsible for their own tax affairs and required to submit a separate return.

However, married couples and civil partners who were living in Jersey before 2022 may be eligible to continue filing a single return together.

Although their tax will still be calculated independently, eligible couples who opt in will be able to submit one return covering both partners.

Around 14,000 couples qualify for the arrangement, but only 4,000 have so far chosen to continue filing jointly.

Those who do not opt in by the extended deadline will receive separate tax returns for the 2026 year of assessment.

Three options for outstanding 2019 tax

The extended deadline also applies to islanders with outstanding 2019 tax liabilities that were frozen during the Covid pandemic.

The States paused the collection of these bills to help prevent financial hardship. However, taxpayers who previously paid tax based on their income from the preceding year may still have an amount outstanding for 2019.

Affected islanders have three options for settling their bills.

They can pay the balance in full immediately, defer payment until they reach States Pension age, or spread the cost through an interest-free instalment scheme lasting up to 17 years.

Under the longest payment arrangement, the final instalment would be due on 31 December 2043.

Anyone who does not select one of the available options will automatically be placed on the 17-year interest-free scheme, with payments made annually.

Revenue Jersey has urged eligible islanders to make their choices before the new 31 October deadline.