The multiple sources, of income that flow into the hands of popular mas bands have not entirely escaped the eye of the taxman. All the bands that are registered as business entities are required to pay corporate taxes. For those which gross in excess of $200,000 yearly, VAT registration is mandatory.

Bandleaders also pay full import duties and taxes on raw materials and imported pre-assembled costumes. In addition a public notice on the website of the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) strongly advises all bandleaders, music arrangers, disc jockeys, fetepromoters, calypso tent owners, landlords and caterers who intend to make in excess of $200,000 for the Carnival season to register with the Value Added Tax Division.

The Taxpayer Relations Department of the IRD outlines the procedure for accessing tax breaks for investments in cultural activities. The investor must be registered with and certified by the Culture Division of the Ministry of Community Development Culture And Gender Affairs. Approval of the investment is given and this approval of particular investments accompanies the tax return of the investor. The tax rebate is 150 per cent of the investment up to a maximum of $1 million.

The items that qualify for this tax relief are determined by the Culture Division. A call to this government agency revealed that cassettes, DVDs and music CDs from local artistes receive a concession on import taxes and duties. The tax rebates on investments in cultural activities are limited to investments in the performing arts. Officials at the IRD confirm that these claims are being made but were unable to quantify the number of people who access this facility on an annual basis.

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