Local Government Minister Urges Jamaicans to Pay Property Taxes

The need for Jamaicans to pay their property taxes has been underscored by Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Noel Arscott.

Addressing the first ever Western Jamaica Economic Forum, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, in Rose Hall, St. James, on November 26, Mr. Arscott said the funds generated from property taxes play a vital role in helping to close the circle of economic growth and development in Jamaica.

“We cannot close the circle of economic growth and development without discussing the role of taxation…In the context of Local Government, one of the critical sources of development revenue is property tax. We have set a target this fiscal year of $7.26 billion, and so far we have collected just under $5 billion. We have three months remaining and we are targeting an additional $1.5 billion to meet the target,” he said.

He informed that as an incentive to communities in which the citizens have paid their property taxes, the Ministry has been undertaking infrastructural works.

“We are doing one project in Haughton Grove (Hanover), because they have paid up their property taxes. We have a number of communities around Jamaica that we are going to do in the coming year,” the Minister noted.

The Minister implored residents of St. James to pay up their property taxes, and gave a commitment that once the taxes are paid, he will ensure that the incentive programme is rolled out in the parish.