Guyana rental income tax guide: GRA, deductions, and filing (2026)

Rental income in Guyana is taxable, and the Guyana Revenue Authority has been visibly more active since the oil economy took off. The good news: the rules for individual landlords are simpler than most people think, and the deductions are generous if you keep records. Here is the 2026 landlord's read — practical, not legal advice.

1. Rental income is taxable — as part of your total income

Rent you receive is treated as chargeable income under the Income Tax Act. For an individual landlord it is added to your other income (salary, business profits) and taxed at the personal income tax rates: 28% on the first GYD 2,400,000 of chargeable income above the personal allowance, and 40% above that. The personal allowance in 2026 is GYD 1,200,000. Companies pay the standard corporate rate.

2. What you can deduct

You are taxed on net rental income, not gross. The commonly allowed deductions include:

• Mortgage interest on the loan used to acquire or improve the property.
• Repairs and maintenance — genuine repairs, not capital improvements (a repainted wall, yes; a new extension, no).
• Property tax and rates paid to the GRA and the local authority.
• Insurance premiums on the building.
• Management fees paid to an agent or property manager.
• Utility bills you cover on behalf of the tenant.
• Depreciation (wear and tear) on the building at the prescribed rates.
• Legal fees for lease preparation and rent recovery.

Capital improvements — a new roof, an extension, an inverter installation — are not deductible in the year spent, but they add to the cost base and reduce your capital gains tax exposure when you eventually sell.

3. Property tax — separate from income tax

Property tax is a wealth tax on net property held above the threshold (GYD 40,000,000 for individuals in 2026). It is filed on a separate return and is independent of your rental income tax. If you own a single rental below the threshold you generally will not owe it, but you may still need to file.

4. VAT — usually not, but watch the threshold

Residential rent is exempt from VAT. Commercial rent is standard-rated at 14% if you are VAT-registered, and you must register once your taxable turnover exceeds GYD 15,000,000 in twelve months. Most residential landlords never touch VAT; mixed-use landlords should get advice.

5. Withholding — when you pay a non-resident

If you pay rent (or management fees) to a non-resident, you are generally required to withhold tax at 20% and remit it to the GRA. This trips up diaspora landlords who use overseas management companies. Get this right — the penalty for missed withholding is the tax plus interest, on you.

6. Records the GRA will ask for

• Signed lease agreement for each tenant.
• Numbered receipts for every rent payment received.
• Bank statements showing rent deposits (a dedicated rental account makes this trivial).
• Invoices and receipts for every deduction claimed.
• Annual rent roll summarizing gross rent, deductions, and net income per property.

Keep them for at least seven years. If you are audited without these, the GRA can and will assess you on gross rent with no deductions.

7. Filing calendar

• April 30: individual income tax return for the prior calendar year.
• March 31: corporate income tax return (for companies).
• Quarterly: advance tax instalments if your prior-year liability exceeded the threshold.

How Orbit keeps you audit-ready

Orbit's owner report exports a clean, per-property GYD ledger — gross rent, receipts, maintenance costs, and net income — in the exact shape you (or your accountant) need for the GRA return. Receipts are numbered and timestamped automatically. That's the whole point: stop the April scramble.

This is general information for Guyanese landlords, not tax or legal advice. Rates and thresholds change — always confirm with a licensed Guyanese accountant or the GRA before filing.