New Tax Office Opens In Jamaica

by Amanda Banks, for LawAndTax-News.com, London

06 August 2008

The Jamaican Tax Administration recently announced that a new tax office had opened its doors to the public on July 28th, timed to coincide with the end of the 100% interest and penalties waiver under the ongoing tax amnesty.

The new tax office was originally scheduled to launch in August 2008.

The new office was opened early to give taxpayers an additional location to make payments at the busy July month end, reducing the anticipated congestion.

The extension in the 100% waiver to 31st July came in response to requests from the business community in Jamaica, who appealed to the Minister to allow more time for them to make appropriate arrangements to clear their outstanding liabilities.

According to a government statement, persons operating outside the tax system also indicated the need for additional time to prepare their returns and to regularise their operations, as they sought to benefit from the relief on charges.

Taxpayers were therefore given more time to reconcile their records with the information available in the tax departments without losing the opportunity to benefit from the 100% relief.

The amnesty itself is scheduled to end on 31st October.

The opening of the Portmore tax office was announced by Mr Shaw earlier in the year during his 2008-2009 Budget Presentation as part of the Administrative Reform.

In addressing the House, the Minister stated at the time that “The Ministry will continue to upgrade Revenue Collection Centres island wide to make the facilities more accessible and user-friendly with the appropriate conveniences for our bosses – the taxpayers of Jamaica.”

The Portmore tax office brings to 29 the number of tax collection facilities located across the island.

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