TAJ Conducts Sessions to Assist Tax Payers

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is currently conducting more than 100 free sessions across the island to assist taxpayers to file their income tax returns and other returns due in March.

Communications Officer at the TAJ, Leighton Beckles, says the sessions are conducted by tax professionals in tax offices islandwide, as part of the TAJ’s taxpayer assistance programme during the tax season.

Mr. Beckles, who was speaking on the JIS television programme, Issues and Answers, said the assistance is heightened during this period, but is generally accessible throughout the year for those who need the help.

“We are in tax season now. Tax season culminates at the end of March, but tax day is March 15, which is the day for persons to file their annual income tax returns,” he noted.

Mr. Beckles informed that at the sessions, business persons will be guided by TAJ representatives on how to prepare the new Self Employed Annual Return (S04) and revised Income Tax forms due March 15, as well as to get assistance with registering to electronically file their Employers Annual Return (S02), due March 31, in keeping with the mandatory e-filing requirement.

“We do feel that tax is everybody’s business and we strongly feel that it’s something that should be hassle free for all taxpayers,” Mr. Beckles insisted.

He is imploring self-employed persons and small business operators to take advantage of the sessions to become more aware of the SO4 Form. The form, Mr. Beckles explained, replaces the ITO1, ETO1, National Housing Trust (NHT) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) annual declarations which would normally have to be completed and paid at three separate agencies.

“These returns have been consolidated, so one place, one form, one payment and these returns can be submitted at any tax office across the island,” Mr. Beckles said.

“We are providing the kind of support for persons at our special taxpayer assistance sessions to understand how this new return works, and to understand how they prepare it for submission for filing,” he added.

A schedule of the sessions is available on the TAJ’s website at: www.jamaicatax.gov.jm or accessed from the customer care centre by calling 1-888-TAX-HELP.