TCI News
IRS NOTICE 2017-46
#Providenciales, June 18, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – On September 25, 2017, the IRS issued Notice 2017-46 which provided for the following:
- Addressed Financial Institutions’ (“FIs”) obligations to obtain and report taxpayer identification numbers (“TINs”) and dates of birth (“DOB”) under chapters 3 and 4 of the Internal Revenue Code;
- Extension of the deadlines imposed on FIs under Model 1 Intergovernmental Agreements (“IGAs”); and
- Chapter 3 and 4 final and temporary regulations released January 6, 2017.
U.S. TIN and DOB Reporting
- Under the Model 1 IGAs, Foreign FIs (“FFIs”) are required to obtain and report U.S. TINs for all reportable account holders and controlling persons.
- For tax year 2017, an FFI failing to include a reportable person’s U.S. TIN would be considered significant non-compliance, triggering a notice from the IRS to the FFI’s tax authority.
- Where an FFI is non-compliant for 18 months after the issuance of a notification, that FFI would be classified as a nonparticipating FFI and would be subject to FATCA withholding.
- An extension is provided to FFIs that have been unable to obtain TINs, allowing them to not be deemed as non-compliant solely because they file tax year 2017, 2018, and 2019 FATCA reports without TINs.
- Where an FFI is unable to obtain TINs, they will be required to undertake the following:
- Obtain and report the DOB of each reportable account holder and controlling person missing a TIN;
- Request annually any missing TIN from such persons; and
- Undertake a search of electronically searchable data maintained by the FFI for the missing TINs prior to the submission of tax year 2017 reports.
Withholding Certificate Validity: Foreign TIN and DOB Requirements
The following amendments will be made by the IRS and Treasury Department: the temporary chapter 3 regulations:
- The circumstances in which Foreign TINs and DOBs are required for Global Financial Services Industry will be narrowed;
- Clarification of the definition of “account holder,” “account,” and “financial institution” under the temporary regulations to align with their meaning under the chapter 4 regulations;
- A Foreign TIN or DOB will not be required where a withholding certificate is obtained solely to avoid Form 1099 reporting and backup withholding;
- The requirement that any account held by a resident in a jurisdiction that does not have an information exchange agreement with the U.S will be excluded from the Foreign TIN;
- There will also be an exception for accounts held by residents in jurisdictions that do not issue Foreign TINs. The current list is limited to Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands;
- A phase-in period has been provided through December 31, 2019, to provide withholding agents additional time to obtain Foreign TINs. Withholding certificates signed on or after January 1, 2018, the Foreign TIN— or a reasonable explanation for its absence—must be present on the form. Such Foreign TINs are not required to be validated against any jurisdiction’s format or TIN system provided the withholding agent does not have a reason to know it is invalid;
- A withholding certificate signed before January 1, 2018, will not be treated as invalid under the amended temporary regulations solely because of a missing Foreign TIN;
- Payments made before January 1, 2018, a Foreign TIN is not required, and the withholding certificates will be valid until the earlier of “(1) December 31, 2019; (2) the expiration date of the validity period of the withholding certificate [if applicable]; or (3) if applicable, the date when a change in circumstances requiring a revised withholding certificate occurs.”;
- A withholding certificate will remain valid beyond December 31, 2019, if the withholding agent obtains a written record of the Foreign TIN or if the Foreign TIN is otherwise within the withholding agent’s files.
Form 1042-S Reporting
- Form 1042-S will be amended to provid instructions to require Foreign TINs to be reported for tax year 2018 and beyond where they are available, either from withholding certificates or the alternative procedures outlined above for obtaining Foreign TINs;
- For tax year 2017, the instructions will be amended to require DOB reporting in instances where the individual account holder’s DOB is available on the withholding certificate or within the withholding agent’s electronically searchable information;
- For tax year 2018 and beyond, the DOB will be required if it is identified in any of the withholding agent’s files, whether electronically stored or otherwise.
This Notice in its entirety can be viewed on the Internal Revenue Service website at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-17-46.pdf.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (March 5, 2026) – As the Turks and Caicos sporting community celebrates the spirit of
youth athleticism, leading telecoms provider, Flow is highlighting the transformative power of connectivity following the successful conclusion of the 2026 Inter-High Track and Field Championships held at the Turks and Caicos Islands National Stadium from February 26 to 28.
As the Official Media Sponsor for the event, Flow provided livestreaming services that premiered across social media and on Flow TV’s Channel 111. This ensured that families and fans throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands could witness every record-breaking moment. To keep the event running at top speed, Flow also provided broadband services throughout the venue, maintaining seamless connectivity throughout the games.
“Our long-standing partnership with the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission is a shared promise to invest in the next generation. Over the years we have worked together to create opportunities for young people to train, compete and grow,” said Joanne Missick, Country
Manager, Flow Turks and Caicos Islands.
“We make this investment because sport develops more than athletes. It’s a long-term investment for us in our people, pride and possibility, and it’s a partnership we hold close because advancing our youth advances the entire nation.”
The commitment to the Games extended directly to the track, where Flow served as the headline sponsor for the 200-meter category. Spanning seven races, the partnership culminated during the official medal ceremony with the company presenting winners with Flow merchandise bags.
Off the track, Flow mobilised engagement through the interactive sales booth. The site became a hub for activity, featuring Spin the Wheel promotions and gift certificate giveaways during Q&A intermissions, ensuring the energy of the crowd remained high.
Looking ahead, Flow is preparing to carry this momentum into the upcoming Inter-Primary Track and Field Championships, continuing its investment in the next generation of sporting talent in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey has been recognised for his contribution to national security and the tourism industry, receiving the Distinguished Civic Service Award at the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Star Awards held on February 19, 2026 at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
The annual awards ceremony is the premier recognition event for the territory’s hospitality sector, bringing together industry leaders,
executives and frontline professionals to celebrate excellence and the individuals whose work strengthens the destination’s global reputation.
Commissioner Bailey was honoured for his strategic leadership in the fight against crime and the measurable reductions in major offences, efforts widely credited with improving public confidence and reinforcing the Turks and Caicos Islands’ standing as a safe and competitive tourism jurisdiction.
In accepting the award, the Commissioner dedicated the recognition to the officers and staff of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, praising their commitment and professionalism in what he described as a collective national effort to make the islands more secure.
The TCHTA Star Awards spotlight the link between public safety and tourism performance, acknowledging that a stable and safe environment is essential to visitor confidence, investment and the continued growth of the sector.
This year’s ceremony featured high-energy hosting by Super P the Entertainer, with Omega serving as awards announcer, as the industry gathered to honour the people and partnerships that continue to elevate the Turks and Caicos brand.
(Providenciales – Monday, March 2, 2026) TCI Hospital proudly announces the successful achievement of its Heart Strong TCI initiative, a comprehensive Heart Month campaign focused on raising awareness and strengthening cardiovascular disease prevention efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the Turks and Caicos Islands, highlighting the critical need for sustained public education, risk-factor reduction, and early intervention. The Heart Strong TCI initiative was designed to actively engage the community through education, outreach, and physical activity.
Key Activities Included:
Educational Training Sessions
Healthcare professionals conducted structured sessions addressing hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol management, nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and the early warning signs of heart disease.
House Call Talk Show Feature
A dedicated Heart Month episode of the hospital’s House Call program provided expert discussion on cardiovascular risk factors and prevention strategies, empowering viewers with practical, evidence-based guidance.
Red Fridays Awareness Campaign
Throughout the month, staff wore red every Friday to increase visibility around heart disease awareness and reinforce the campaign’s message within the community.
Heart Strong 5K Walk/Run
In collaboration with the Rotary Club, TCI Hospital hosted a community-wide 5K walk/run to promote physical activity as a cornerstone of
heart health. The walk/run also provided an opportunity for community screening.
Digital Health Education Campaign
To expand its reach, TCI Hospital also shared ongoing heart health education tips and prevention messages across its social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. These posts provided actionable guidance on diet, exercise, blood pressure control, and lifestyle modification, and encouraging community members to learn CPR.
Heart Strong TCI: A Continuous Commitment
While Heart Month has officially ended, Heart Strong TCI represents an ongoing institutional commitment to cardiovascular disease prevention and awareness. TCI Hospital will continue to prioritize:
- Community-based education initiatives
- Preventative screening and early detection programs
- Lifestyle and wellness promotion
- Strategic partnerships that advance public health outcomes
“Heart Strong TCI is not limited to a single month,” CEO, Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant. “Cardiovascular disease prevention requires sustained effort. We remain committed to promoting healthy hearts across the Turks and Caicos Islands year-round.”
For more information about cardiovascular health services or upcoming screening initiatives, please contact TCI Hospital at 649-941-2800 in Providenciales, 649-941-2900 in Grand Turk or email us at info@interhealthcanada.tc
About TCI Hospital
TCI Hospital is dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a strong emphasis on prevention, education, and community wellness.
