By Prince Moore
Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) says the delay in occupying properties it has leased is due to the lengthy procurement process and build-out required to make the space suitable for the delivery of tax services.
It follows an Auditor General report which revealed that TAJ has forked out more than $370 million over three years to lease two properties despite failing to occupy the buildings up to August last year.
The properties are located in Greenvale, Manchester and Annotto Bay, St. Mary.
In a media release on Wednesday, TAJ said the government's procurement policies require a lease to be in place before beginning the process to procure technical services and to renovate.
It said once the lease is in place, TAJ is liable to make payments.
TAJ said in the case of the Greenvale property, a competitive bidding process is being pursued and it could take another six months to engage the contractor.
It is projecting that the work will take a minimum of 12 months to complete, with September 2025 being the best estimate for a completion date.
Regarding the Annotto Bay Tax Office, TAJ said the existing building has been closed since it was rendered unsafe for occupancy following a 5.6 magnitude earthquake on November 3 last year.
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