The U.S. Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue is calling on residents and business owners to report suspected tax fraud as a way to protect the integrity of the territory’s tax system and ensure public funds are used appropriately.
For Virgin Islands taxpayers already stretched by the cost of living, tax evasion by others means a smaller pool of revenue available for schools, infrastructure and social services. The bureau’s fraud reporting initiative represents a straightforward opportunity for residents to strengthen the financial health of their community.
The V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue collects income tax, gross receipts tax and excise tax that fund essential government operations across the territory. When individuals or businesses underreport income or misrepresent tax obligations, it shifts the burden to compliant taxpayers and reduces funds available for public services.
The bureau operates offices on St. Thomas at 6115 Estate Smith Bay, Suite 225, and on St. Croix at 4008 Estate Diamond Plot 7-B in Christiansted. Staff are available Monday through Friday, eight a.m. to five p.m. Residents can reach the St. Thomas office at 340-715-1040, the St. John office at 340-777-1446 or the St. Croix office at 340-773-1040.
Suspected fraud can be reported through the bureau’s official feedback channel at [email protected]. The bureau does not accept tax returns through that email address, but it uses reports to investigate potential violations and ensure the tax system operates fairly for all residents.
The bureau also maintains an online portal for taxpayers to file income tax returns and pay excise taxes, reducing paperwork and making compliance easier. The agency has modernized several services in recent years, including a new gross receipts tax portal designed to streamline reporting for businesses.
Government officials have repeatedly emphasized that a strong tax base depends on voluntary compliance and public cooperation. When residents report suspicious activity, they help auditors and investigators focus resources on areas of greatest concern.
For many USVI households, tax fraud feels like a distant concern. But when revenue declines because of evasion, the impact is direct: deferred maintenance on roads, reduced classroom resources or delayed government checks to vendors and employees. A collaborative approach to reporting fraud protects the resources available to all territory residents.
