TT HR Law

Dates to Remember

Every year

  • End of February: your employer must give you your TD4 for last year. Check it matches your payslips. Keep it; you need it to file a tax return.
  • 30 April: income tax returns for last year are due. If your only income is from employment and PAYE was deducted, you do not have to file. Filing is how you claim a refund or deductions you did not claim on your TD1 (for example tertiary education or mortgage interest). See How to file an income tax return.
  • Once a year: request your NIS contribution statement and check every employer paid in what was deducted. See How to check your NIS contributions.

When it happens

Starting a new job

  • Within 7 days: give your employer your NIS number. If you do not have one, give your employer the details needed to register you.
  • If your employer tells you it has not registered you within 21 days, apply to the NIB yourself within 28 days of starting.
  • Give your employer a TD1 so the right amount of PAYE is deducted. Update it if your circumstances change.

Pregnancy and maternity (Maternity Protection Act, Chap. 45:57)

  • At least 8 weeks before your expected delivery date: tell your employer in writing that you need maternity leave, and give a medical certificate showing the expected date.
  • You can start leave up to 6 weeks before the expected date.
  • Paid maternity leave from your employer needs 12 months' continuous service.
  • NIS Maternity Benefit: claim within 3 months of the birth. You should be on maternity leave before claiming.
  • The NIS Maternity Benefit includes a Maternity Grant of TT$3,750 for each child, paid with the weekly maternity allowance (up to 14 weeks). The grant is paid for a live birth, or where the pregnancy lasted at least 26 weeks.

Sickness

  • NIS Sickness Benefit is for illness lasting 4 days or more.
  • Claim within 3 months of the start of the illness or loss of earnings, whichever is later. Late claims can lose part or all of the benefit. Claims over 12 months late are refused.

Injury at work

  • NIS Injury Benefit: claim within 14 days of the accident.
  • Disablement Benefit and medical expenses: within 3 months.
  • Late claims up to 12 months need a letter showing good cause. Over 12 months, the claim is refused.

Leaving a job

  • Ask for your NIS Termination Certificate. Your employer must give you one showing the contributions paid for you.
  • If you are dismissed and want to dispute it, act quickly. A dismissal dispute must be reported within 6 months. See I've been dismissed. What now?

Approaching retirement

  • NIS Retirement Benefit can be claimed as early as 3 months before your 65th birthday, or your 60th birthday if you have already stopped working, or your planned retirement date if you are between 60 and 65.
  • Claim within 12 months to be on time. Later claims need a letter showing good cause.

After a death in the family

  • NIS Funeral Grant: claim within 3 months of the death.
  • NIS Death Benefit (work-related death): within 12 months.

Time limits from the NIB, the Inland Revenue Division and the Maternity Protection Act, checked October 2026. General guidance only, not legal advice. Confirm with the agency before relying on a deadline.

Last reviewed: October 2026

General guidance only, not legal advice.