Mal--Since, as you say, there IS no tax in the BVI, there is no reason to ask the server, unless you just HOPE that they might fess up and tell the truth. If there is something on a bill that says "tax", then assume that it is the service charge and leave nothing else. We always tip 20% or so anyway, so if a restaurant automatically adds 15%, that's fine, that's all we leave. I understand that the servers get hurt in that process, but since as you say, many or most of them will lie about it and deny it's s/c, I don't have a lot of sympathy for them.