Gov't promises major improvements to tax offices

 

The government is pledging improvements to the local network of tax offices across the country.

 

Speaking at the launch of the government's $20,000 one-off tax credit to taxpayers earning less than $3 million annually, Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke said tax offices are currently not fit for purpose.

 

"Our tax offices were built decades ago for a different Jamaica, a smaller Jamaica, a less prosperous Jamaica. Today, our tax offices are inadequate in their size, in their internal space and in their parking arrangements. With the volume of transactions that take place in our tax offices, this often means that they are overcrowded. The medium-term solution is a buildout of over 11 revenue centres and tax offices at a cost of over $12 billion. But this is medium-term because it will take up to five years to get this completed," he acknowledged.   

 

He said the Constant Spring Tax office in St. Andrew is an example of a revenue centre, and others like it will be located in areas like Portmore in St. Catherine, Mandeville in Manchester and Montego Bay in St. James. 

 

"In addition to that, there'll be renovations and new tax offices in other areas," the minister promised.  

 

"We are also implementing shorter-term solutions, and that is to move transactions or the opportunity for more transactions onto the digital space, and motor vehicle registrations, accounting for more than 50 per cent of the transactions in tax offices, gives us an opportunity for a substantial improvement in the customer experience," he said. 

 

Tax Administration Jamaica announced on Monday that motorists can now renew their motor vehicle registration certificate online via its online platform at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.