The 2027 Budget, delivered on 12 October 2026, announced that the Government will introduce mandatory electronic filing through the Inland Revenue Division's GENTAX system for all taxpayers. No start date has been announced yet.
In practice, that means filing your tax return online through e-Tax. If you already file on e-Tax with your own login, very little changes for you. If you file on paper, or use e-Tax without logging in, it's time to get set up.
What the Budget Actually Said
Here is Measure 18 of the Budget Statement, word for word:
"Government will introduce mandatory electronic filing through the Inland Revenue Division's GENTAX system for all taxpayers."
The Minister described it as a way for taxpayers to "meet their tax obligations without having to manually file returns."
What it didn't say: a start date, penalties for not filing online, or any exemptions. EY's Budget 2027 summary confirms that "no go-live date was specified." Treat any specific date you see online as unconfirmed until the IRD announces one.
What is GENTAX?
GENTAX is the IRD's back-office tax system. e-Tax (etax.ird.gov.tt) is the website you use to reach it. When you file a return on e-Tax, it goes into GENTAX.
The same Budget approved $113.4 million to upgrade the system from "antiquated Version 9" to Version 26. The upgrade is scheduled to start in early 2027 and be completed within 18 months. The Government says this means more reliable online services and faster processing. Expect e-Tax screens to change during that period.
Does This Mean More People Have to File?
No. The measure changes how returns are filed, not who has to file.
- Salary is your only income? You're still not legally required to file, although it's often worth doing to claim deductions or a refund.
- Self-employed, or have rental or other income? You already had to file, and that hasn't changed.
Not sure which applies to you? See how to file your income tax return in T&T.
Who It Affects Most
According to EY, the measure will significantly affect non-resident individuals and companies that currently use e-Tax's non-logged-in option, the route for filing without a ttconnect ID. The Minister described the goal as filing "without having to manually file returns", so anyone who still files on paper should expect to move online as well.
If you file without logging in, or on paper, the change to make is getting your own e-Tax login.
What to Do Now
- Have a BIR number. If you don't have one, or can't find yours, here's how to get a BIR number.
- Get a ttconnect ID linked to e-Tax. In person it's usually done by the next business day, and by email in about two. Here's how to get your e-Tax login.
- Log into e-Tax once and set your e-Tax password, so you're not doing it in the last week of April.
Running a business? A company gets onto e-Tax through an Administrator. See how to register a business for tax.
Other 2027 Budget Changes for Individual Filers
- Pensioners: the personal allowance for pensioners rises from $90,000 to $102,000 from 1 January 2027. This affects 2027 income, which is filed in 2028.
- Everyone else: the general personal allowance stays at $90,000.
Filing Online is What TaxDash Does
TaxDash works out your return from your TD4 and a few plain-language questions, then fills it into e-Tax for you while you're logged in. You review it and click submit. TaxDash never sees your ttconnect ID or password.
Start your return with TaxDash
Sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget Statement 2027 (PDF) (Measures 11 and 18; Integrated Tax Processing System upgrade) · EY: Focus on Trinidad & Tobago Budget 2027 · IRD: e-Tax · IRD: Non-logged-in returns FAQs. TaxDash is independent and not affiliated with the IRD. This measure has been announced but not yet implemented, so we'll update this page when the IRD publishes details.
Frequently asked questions
Is e-filing mandatory in Trinidad and Tobago?
It has been announced but not yet started. The 2027 Budget (12 October 2026) said the Government will introduce mandatory electronic filing through the Inland Revenue Division's GENTAX system for all taxpayers. No start date was given.
When does mandatory e-filing start in T&T?
No date has been announced. The Budget Statement did not give one, and EY's Budget 2027 summary notes that no go-live date was specified.
What is GENTAX?
GENTAX is the Inland Revenue Division's back-office tax system. e-Tax (etax.ird.gov.tt) is the website taxpayers use to file returns into it.
Do I have to file a tax return if I only have a salary?
The Budget measure changes how returns are filed, not who must file. A PAYE employee whose salary is their only income is still not legally required to file, though many file anyway to claim deductions or a refund.
What should I do now to prepare for mandatory e-filing?
Make sure you have a BIR number and a ttconnect ID linked to e-Tax. If you have filed using e-Tax's non-logged-in option or on paper, getting a ttconnect ID is the step to take now, before the rush.