Tax Administration Jamaica hosts Forms Testing Focus Group

Standing – Gerrard Edman, Subject Matter Expert (TAJ) while seated is Norman Washington (ICAJrepresentative)

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) hosted a Forms Testing Focus Group on Thursday December 14, 2017 at its Project Office, involving representatives of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ), Taxation Committee. The session was aimed at ensuring that the amendments and enhancements to the income tax forms captured salient and relevant information and at the same time, maintained the functionality of the online filing process. The recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between TAJ and the ICAJ formalized the long-standing relationship between the two entities. Against this background, TAJ therefore engaged representatives of the ICAJ who are actual users, as the focus group participants for the testing, as their knowledge and expertise is invaluable in making the necessary enhancements required.

Forms used by Self-employed persons, unincorporated bodies, such as partnerships and other individuals were tested, namely the S04, S04A, IT03 and IT05. The IT02, which is the Income Tax Form for Companies, is still being fine-tuned, however, it was reviewed during the session, for testing at a later date.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) Gerrard Edman facilitated the session supported by Senior Technical Specialist, Richard Palmer. The session generated vibrant discussions and an open exchange of information between the developers and the users.

This Focus Group is one of several outreach strategies being employed by TAJ, as it seeks to strengthen and expand its stakeholder roster to foster greater involvement and awareness, and improve its operations to advance its business processes.