Finance Minister Audley Shaw has said yes to requests for the tax amnesty to be amended, giving businesses and the self-employed another month to qualify for full waiver of penalties and interest.

They now have until July 31 to pay off their principal arrears, without facing additional charges.

Persons outside the tax net have also asked for more time to become compliant, the department said.

The six-month amnesty comes to an end October 31, with reduced levels of forgiveness as the months elapse.