Taxpayers Urged To Settle Outstanding Amounts Ahead of Implementation of New Tax Information System

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is advising that all returns and associated payments related to Guest Accommodation Room Tax (GART) and Telephone Call Tax up to the ledger period December 31, 2014, must be made on or before January 31, 2015. Operators of guest accommodations, in respect to GART and telecommunications companies are therefore advised that all late returns and outstanding balances for these tax types will attract the applicable penalty and interest charges as of February 1, 2015. This coincides with TAJ’s phased implementation of its new Revenue Administration Information System (RAiS) beginning February 2015.

Previously interest and penalties were not automatically applied to outstanding GART and TCT returns. However these taxes will be rolled out, along with General Consumption Tax (GCT) and Special Consumption Tax (SCT), in the first phase of the TAJ’s new Revenue Administration Information System (RAiS) set for February 9, 2015. Our new web based application will automatically compute charges on outstanding amounts.

To make it easier to carry out these transactions, business persons will soon be able to file and pay these taxes online using RAiS.

The new system will further benefit taxpayers by allowing them to access their information and transact business through a web based Taxpayer Access Point (TAP). Customers using RAiS will be able to view their filing/payment history, as well as any notice sent by the administration. The new system will also allow persons to apply online for all GCT refunds, make payment arrangements, and submit notice of objection, as it relates the particular tax types. Customers will also benefit from a more interactive electronic filing experience and be able to make online payments using an automated direct banking (ACH) option.

The two year RAiS project is expected to significantly improve the TAJ’s capacity to integrate and administer the various tax systems currently in use. The first of the three phases is slated for rollout on February 9 2015.

June 2016 is the date set for full implementation of RAiS, which is being spearheaded by TAJ in partnership with Egov Jamaica and FAST Enterprise LLC, a US based firm which has rolled out similar applications in over 140 projects worldwide.