TAJ Hosts Seminars for Large Taxpayers

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) through its Large Taxpayer Office (LTO) recently hosted seminars in both Kingston and Montego Bay for its clientele. The first seminar was held on Wednesday September 18, 2019 at the St. Andrew Revenue Centre and focussed on the Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The seminar was geared towards sensitizing clients including Developers, Occupants, Promoters and Approved Enterprises on the rules, regulations, rights and obligations regarding the SEZ regime. Presenters included representatives from the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA), Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), and TAJ.

The stated objectives of the seminar were:

• To provide an overview of regulatory requirements of SEZ Developers and Occupants in
  relations to JSEZA, JCA, and TAJ
• To inform the participants of the incentives which are associated with the SEZ
• To educate/assist taxpayers in calculating their income tax payable via the IT15 Return
• To inform the participants of their legal obligation regarding the submission of an
  accurate IT15 Return

One week later on September 25, 2019, large taxpayers in the West, were given an opportunity to interact with Client Relationship Managers from the Montego Bay Revenue Service Centre during a presentation which was aimed at educating taxpayers on GCT exempt supplies. The session which was held at the Tax Authority’s Baywest Training facility sought to:-

• Identify categories of taxable supplies
• Explain the difference between exempt and zero-rated supplies
• Provide guidance on proper completion of the GCT Return
• Educate the taxpayer on GCT apportionment

Information was also provided on how exempt supplies affect GCT registration, GCT refunds and GCT credit allocations.

The seminars were well received by the attendees who welcomed the opportunity to be further sensitized on information critical to their business operations. The sessions also allowed for one-on-one personalized interactions. Representatives from the Hotel and Transportation industries; Business Process Outsourcing (BPO); Petroleum, Manufacturing, Logistics and Telecommunications sectors were among those in attendance.

TAJ’s service, education and stakeholder engagement focus will continue through its Taxpayer Education Teams, Technical Specialists, Client Relationship Managers and Customer Care Agents to ensure that taxpayers are educated and informed of their rights and obligations as well as provided with tax information and assistance. TAJ has been extending its outreach footprint to engage all categories of taxpayers in an effort to equip the public with up-to-date and accurate information, as a means of encouraging voluntary compliance.

The Authority will continue to utilise all the avenues available to encourage and foster voluntary compliance through moral suasion. Notwithstanding, tax evaders will be aggressively pursued through intelligence and enforcement actions and brought to book.

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