March 16 is Tax Day

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is advising persons that Annual Income Tax Returns for 2019 and Estimated Returns for 2020 must be filed on or before March 16, 2020 as the usual due date of the 15th of the month occurs on the weekend. The tax authority is encouraging taxpayers to begin preparations to file their Income Tax Returns early with the Income Tax due date just two months away, and to utilize the convenience, speed and security of the online option to avoid the usual tax season rush. 

This tax season, taxpayers filing Individual Income Tax (IIT) Returns are reminded that they are now required to do so online via TAJ’s online portal at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm. This means that the Returns for these categories of taxpayers MUST be filed using TAJ’s online facility on or before the March 16 due date. Taxpayers required to file IIT Returns online include; Employed Individuals with other sources of income, Self-employed persons and Pensioners focusing on the following Returns;

• ITO5
• S04 with no Income Tax liability
• Refund

Since last year all corporate bodies, organizations such as Partnerships, Trust & Estates, Building Societies, Life Assurances as well as registered Charities are also required to file online.

All companies, organisations, self-employed persons, as well as employed persons with additional sources of income or multiple employment, are reminded to file their Annual Income Tax Return for the year 2019 and to declare their Estimated Income and Tax Payable for the year 2020 on or before the March 16 due date. Taxpayers, including professionals and self-employed persons such as entertainers, doctors, lawyers, realtors, landlords, shopkeepers, barbers, hairdressers, taxi/bus operators and others are also encouraged to register to file and pay online via the TAJ’s tax portal at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.

The tax authority is offering support to taxpayers to guide them through the online filing process. Persons may visit the How To section at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm for user-friendly instructions on how to file online. Additionally, taxpayers may avail themselves of eOne-on-One sessions where TAJ personnel will visit the taxpayers’ place of business to provide their staff with training.

Income Tax filers wishing to file their Returns online while getting support from TAJ officers, can do so at 16 eFiling locations across the island to include; St. Andrew, Kingston, Mandeville, and Montego Bay Revenue Service Centres as well the Cross Roads, Spanish Town, St. Ann’s Bay, May Pen, Savanna-la-mar, Portmore, Morant Bay, Falmouth, Lucea and Port Maria Tax Offices, with an option to make arrangements for similar support at other locations.  

TAJ’s annual Special Taxpayer Assistance Programme (STAP) will also be offered, beginning February, to assist micro, small and medium enterprises with their filing obligation, with a focus on online filing.

The online tax service allows users to not just file their Income Tax Returns online, but to also pay using automated direct banking, create a payment plan, view filing and payment history, generate statement of accounts, and apply for their TCC electronically, instead of having to visit a Tax Office to do those transactions.

Persons are therefore encouraged to register to use the online filing option by contacting the TAJ’s Customer Care Centre at 888-TAX-HELP (888-829-4357), visiting a Tax Office or going online to sign-up.

For additional information, persons may contact the Tax Administration Customer Care Centre at 888-TAX-HELP (888-829-4357) or visit the website www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.