Section 29 TAA 2012:

Keeping of Records

Every person carrying on business must keep records and shall retain such records for a period of at least 7 years

Section 80 ITA 2012:

Obligation to file annual Income Tax Return

Every person carrying on business, is required to file an annual income tax return. You must file income tax return for the tax year within three (3) months after the end of the tax year. Most if not all, are required to adopt the statutory tax year (Jan-Dec) with balance date of 31 Dec and must file by 31 March, three months after the balance date. If taxpayer has a different balance date, hence tax year year, must first seek Commissioner’s approval, stating valid reasons, before adopting balance date other than the statutory balance date of 31 Dec.

Section 93 and 93A ITA 2012:

Obligation to file and pay Salary and Wage tax or Pay as you Earn (“PAYE”) tax

If you employ personnel (even one person) and pay wages or salaries, you are required to deduct PAYE tax from your employee’s salary or wage and remit to Commissioner through monthly P4 return. If salary and wage income is below non-taxable threshold, hence no PAYE tax, you are still required to register and file monthly P4 to disclose payment made to employee(s). These monthly payments should reconcile to Salary& wage expenses you will claim in your annual income tax return.

Section 85 ITA 2018:

Obligation to pay provisional tax

A person who is liable for income tax must pay instalments of provisional tax for a tax year by 31 March, 31 July and 31 October of the tax year.

For example: For the tax year of 2018, you will pay 2018 provisional tax in three instalments based on previous tax year’s taxable income. If 2017 taxable income was $39,000.00 then your provisional tax will be $3,510 due before or on 31 March 2018, $3,510 before or on 31 July 2018 and last instalment before or on 31 October 2018. [$39,000 x 27% = $10,530 annual income tax (divided by 3 instalments) = $3,510 per instalment. When you file 2018 income tax return by 31 March 2019, the 3 instalments of provisional tax you paid will be credited against your 2018 income tax liability

Section 9 VAGST ACT 2015:

Obligation to register for VAGST

A person who carries on a taxable activity in Samoa becomes liable for registration for “VAGST” if their total value of supplies in any twelve-month period exceeds $130,000.00. He is required to file a bi-monthly VAGST return before or on 21st date of next month.

Section 47, 48 and 49 TAA 2012:

Penalties for tax

Late Filing Penalty: *Company: $300 after grace period from due date.*Sole Trader: $100 after grace period from due date.

Late Payment Penalty: 10% on unpaid tax after the grace period from due date.

Late Penalty Interest: 8.7% on unpaid tax immediately after due date

Due Dates for Filing of Returns

Income Tax: 31st March every year; PAYE: 15th of every month; VAGST: 21st of every month