Tax Support Available for Business Persons to meet Mandatory e-Filing Requirement

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) has put in place several support mechanisms to help hundreds of business persons meet the mandatory e-Filing requirements come January 1, 2017. The next phase of mandatory e-Filing of returns will now require medium (upper and lower) taxpayers to file their GCT Returns online via the Jamaica Tax Portal at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm. This is in keeping with TAJ’s continued focus on enhancing system capacity to capture data in a more accurate and timely manner, as well as to assist in the
efforts to develop a more efficient tax system.

Business Persons will now be required to file their monthly GCT returns online on January 2017 when the December 2016 return falls due with, those who fall in the category are as follows:-
 

• Annual sales of $150M - $1B
• Annual tax payments of $30M - $500M

Hundreds of businesses have been making use of available tax support to meet this legal obligation, through eOne-on-One training sessions, as well as requesting advisory visits to have TAJ personnel come in to provide assistance with e-Filing returns. Taxpayers are advised to contact their Client Relationship Manager (CRM), Taxpayer Education Manager or the Customer Care Centre to register for e-Fling or to arrange for assistance in the eFiling process. Additionally, a ‘How To’ guide for eFiling of Consumption Tax Returns is available online on the TAJ website at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.

Additionally, while this group of taxpayers is now being mandated to e-file their GCT returns, other businesses and persons are encouraged to use the convenience of the website to file their returns. Support will also be provided, if required. Large taxpayers and all employers are already required to file online and TAJ will be moving in short order, to require other taxpayer segments and types of returns to be filed electronically.

The amendment to the Revenue Administration Act gives the Commissioner General the authority to require any person to furnish a return as considered necessary in such form and manner as directed.

Persons may contact the TAJ Customer Care Centre at 1-888-Tax-Help (1-888-829-4357) toll-free for further information or assistance.