TAJ’s Special Arrears Settlement Programme Extended to May 31

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is advising members of the public and the business community that the Special Arrears Settlement Programme has been extended to May 31, 2025. This means that individuals and businesspersons still have an opportunity to maximise on the offer of the Authority, to pay their principal liabilities that will result in corresponding percentage of Interest, Penalties and Surcharges (IPS) waived. The 8 week programme with a target of $10B, was exceeded by $500,000 which will result in approximately $12B of waivers in IPS, a strong indicator that taxpayers have both seen the benefit of such an offer and have answered the call to take advantage to become and remain compliant.

Though support for the programme is high, the Authority has observed that there remains a significant number of principal arrears and IPS on the accounts of many taxpayers. Additionally, feedback from the business community and interest groups has suggested that many taxpayers were constrained by the timeline of the offer, to be able to put the necessary measures in place to qualify and thereby take advantage of the initiative.

Additionally, the Authority is reporting that over 30,000 calls has been made which equates to more than $47B of outstanding principal and a corresponding $51B in IPS. These taxpayers were invited to consider the offer with a majority of contacts indicating a willingness to, or taking active measures towards to taking up the offer by paying down or paying off their liabilities.

TAJ is reminding taxpayers of the significant advantage at hand, as the programme provides an opportunity for persons and businesses, whether individuals, self-employed, company or organisations, to clear their debts, without the additional costs typically associated with late filing and payments related to several tax types and become compliant.

Tax types eligible under the offer are:

• Education Tax
• Corporate Income Tax
• Individual Income Tax
• Pay As You Earn
• Special Consumption Tax
• General Consumption Tax
• Asset Tax
• Partnership Income Tax

Taxpayers are advised that this waiver offer also relates to withholding taxes associated with Income Tax payments.

General Consumption Tax (GCT) taxpayers are reminded of the requirement to submit their applications in writing as required by law. Taxpayers with no outstanding principal owing, but have IPS balances on record, are also required to apply formally to benefit from the offer, relating to waiver for GCT.

Taxpayers with cases currently under objection and appeals will also qualify for the waiver, if the principal taxes have been paid. It should be noted that this could be before or after a decision or agreement on the amount determined on the objection or appeal. 

Taxpayers wishing to take advantage of the programme are encouraged to contact Tax Administration Jamaica, to arrange to pay off the principal arrears by the extended May 31 deadline. This includes taxpayers who may have operated and closed businesses before, or employed to more than one employer at any given time. 

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