TAJ Extends Closure of Tax Offices in St. Catherine

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is advising that its St. Catherine Operations and that of the Cross Roads location will remain closed, as a result of the 7 day extension of the enhanced curfew in the parish of St. Catherine with effect from April 22, 2020, announced by the Most Honourable Prime Minister recently.

Consequently, the following Tax Offices will remain closed for the period:

• Linstead
• Old Harbour
• Portmore
• Spanish Town
• Cross Roads

This measure forms part of the Government of Jamaica’s (GOJ) response strategies to the Covid-19 pandemic impacting the country, and in particular the significant and still increasing number of cases in that parish. The lockdown continues to impact the delivery of service at several of TAJ’s Tax and Business locations across the island, namely in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, Clarendon and Manchester as several members of staff reside in St. Catherine. Taxpayers are also advised that the authority has implemented enhanced measures in keeping with GOJ’s public health and safety guidelines, to include: 

• Limiting the number of customers in Tax Offices
• Requiring Social Distancing of 6 feet by customers inside the office or those waiting outside
• Enforcing the mandatory wearing of masks 

Additionally, a decision has been taken to extend the closure of the Cross Roads Tax Office during the period of the lockdown; however available staff will continue to be temporarily reassigned to other corporate area locations to bolster their operations. Taxpayers, who usually transact business at the Cross Roads office, are asked to visit the King Street or St. Andrew Revenue Service Centres to do their usual tax business.

All Tax and Business Offices will continue to operate between the hours 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., to accommodate end of day activities to include balancing off, cleaning and sanitization of office spaces being completed before the new 6:00 p.m. curfew.

Tax Administration Jamaica is aware that the closure of these offices and the reduction in staff complement may cause some deeply regretted but unavoidable delays in service. As a courtesy, priority service will be extended to senior citizens and uniformed officers. We ask for the public’s cooperation and understanding in following the directives of the staff and security personnel at Tax Offices as we work together to keep staff and customers safe.

We take this opportunity to remind persons that some of our services may be accessed online via the tax portal at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm. We encourage the use of the online option for payments such as Property Tax, Certificate of Fitness Fee and Traffic Ticket. Additionally, applications for Tax Compliance Certificates will only be accepted online.

For further information persons may contact TAJ’s Customer Care Centre at 888-Tax-Help (888- 829-4357), visit the website www.jamaicatax.gov.jm or follow us on all our social media platforms.