Phase 2 of TAJ’s New Tax System One Month Away

In just under a month Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) will be rolling out phase two of its Revenue Administration Information System (RAiS), scheduled for December 7, 2015. This involves improved web services related to Income, Education, Minimum Business, Asset and Payroll Taxes, including NIS, NHT, and HEART contributions. The improvements will also accommodate online applications for Tax Registration Number (TRN) and Tax Compliance Certificates.

To facilitate the upgrade, several services will be impacted during the period December 2 -6 as the tax authority converts data and makes the necessary preparations for the smooth implementation on December 7. As a result, during this transition period, services relating to
TRN, TCC, Zero-rating and access to TAJ’s web services will either be suspended or limited, as follows:

Date

Tansaction/Services

Access

Note

December 2

TRN, TCC, E-Services,
Zero-rating

No Service

Service not available online
or at tax offices

December 3 - 4

TRN, TCC,
E-services

Zero-rating

Limited Service
(8am-6pm)

No Service

Balances will not be
updated on web view
Traffic Ticket and Property
Tax options will still be
available online.

December 5 - 6

E-Services

No Service

Traffic Ticket and Property
Tax options will still be
available online.

Additionally, the Portmore Tax Office will be closed for business on Saturday, December 5 to facilitate transition activities.

Taxpayers are therefore being encouraged to conduct related transactions before or after the transition period, as TAJ puts the necessary systems in place to improve service efficiency.

Following these service upgrades with the rollout of RAiS phase 2, taxpayers will be able to:

• view their filing and payment history
• request a Payment Agreement
• request a refund and check its status
• object to an assessment
• make automated direct bank payments
• generate statement of accounts
• apply for Income Tax exemption
• request approval to pay tax-free travel allowance
• submit TRN applications and supporting documents online
• apply for a Tax Compliance Certificate

As part of the new way of doing business TAJ will no longer issue a TCC, instead a letter will be generated advising of the tax compliance status. However persons will now be able to access and validate TCC details using the enhanced web services. In relation to TRN persons will be able to submit their applications online, however they would still be required to visit a tax office to have their identification and other relevant documents validated prior to the number being issued.

The new tax system will greatly improve the operational efficiency by helping TAJ personnel to manage tax arrears, generate letters and assign work items related to the additional tax types.

Phase one of RAiS was implemented on February 9, 2015, simplifying web services, including e-filing and e-payment, relating to General Consumption Tax, Special Consumption Tax, Telephone Call Tax and Guest Accommodation Room Tax on the new platform. It also
allowed access to a range of other features including verifying tax withholding and zerorated entities, and granting third party access to taxpayer accounts. These changes are all geared towards improving the taxpayer experience and the efficiency and effectiveness of
customer service delivery.

A series of stakeholder sensitization sessions, as well as staff training activities have been underway. Further stakeholder sessions will be conducted across the island, ahead of the rollout of this second of three phases.

For further information persons may call the TAJ Customer Care Centre at 1-888-Tax-Help (1-888-829-4357) or visit the website www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.