Tax Season Support Done Differently

This tax season, as is customary, Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) will be assisting Income Tax Filers through its enhanced Special Taxpayer Assistance Programme (STAP), as companies, partnerships, organizations, self-employed persons and employed persons with other sources of income make the necessary preparations to meet the March 15 Income Tax filing deadline. However, the Tax Authority in its continued observance of the COVID19 public health and safety guidelines, will provide Income Tax filers who earn $10M or less with support in a different way, to file their final Income Tax Returns for 2021 and Estimated Returns for 2022.

This means persons can access the usual support from their local Tax Offices through
an appointment system, with the safety of its TAJ personnel and clientele in mind.
Income Tax filers can make use of this enhanced tax support system which runs until
March 31, by contacting any Tax Office through a bank of telephone numbers to make
1an appointment, allowing them to sit with TAJ personnel who will help them to file their Returns, and register for the convenience of TAJ eServices ahead of the expected increase in online traffic for Tax Day.

Income Tax filers are asked to take along their income and expenditure statements,
valid identification, and their Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) to make the most of
their scheduled visit. To make appointments, persons can contact any of the listed Tax
Offices via the dedicated lines listed in the Income Tax Hub at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm
for their convenience. Additional information support is available in the Hub, where
persons will be able access literature, updated forms and other information relating to
Income Tax filing.

To improve its taxpayer support features this tax season, Tax Administration Jamaica
will also utilise a mix of enhanced activities this year, these include; virtual sessions,
video tutorials and telephone calls.

The public is reminded that all Income Tax Returns MUST be filed online via TAJ’s online portal at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm on or before the March 15 due date. This means self-employed persons, corporate bodies, organizations such as Partnerships, Trusts, Estates, Building Societies, Life Assurances as well as registered Charities, must file their Income Tax Returns and supporting documents online. In filing, persons are advised to ensure that they use the correct form related to their type of business/activity, for the corresponding tax year to ensure that the Returns are filed accurately.

Additionally, persons required to make tax payments are reminded that they have
several options to pay, instead of visiting a Tax Office to do so. Payments may be
made via the Tax Authority’s latest service option, the Direct Funds Transfer service
which allows taxpayers to transfer amounts from their bank accounts directly into the
Revenue Authority’s account, after generating a Direct Funds Transfer Number or
Payment Advice, from their TAJ eService account. Additionally, National Commercial
Bank customers can opt to use their online banking platform by adding TAJ as a Payee. Payments can also be made via the Tax Authority’s website www.jamaicatax.gov.jm using a credit card/ other banking card with credit card features or using the Scotiabank’s automatic electronic funds transfer via TAJ’s website. For further information call the Tax Administration Customer Care Centre at 888-Tax-Help (888-829-4357) or visit the website www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.