Finance Minister to Appoint Private-Sector Members of TAJ Board

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday (February 18), passed legislation that will allow the Minister of Finance and Public Service to directly appoint the private sector members of the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) board.

The Bill, an Act to Amend the Tax Administration Jamaica Act, was piloted by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams.

She explained that the Act established the TAJ as a statutory body with a governance structure that includes a board of the authority.

The Minister noted that the board has responsibility for overseeing the general operations of the TAJ, though importantly, it is not concerned with the administration and collection of domestic tax or the implementation of tax policy.

“The board is composed of nine members – the Commissioner General, as an ex-officio member, five public officials and three persons drawn from the private sector. The private-sector members are appointed after consultation with an advisory committee constituted by the Minister,” Mrs. Williams said.

“I imagine that the intent behind this provision was to, among other things, include stakeholder participation in government, as the advisory committee is constituted of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Jamaica Manufacturers Association and a representative of the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises,” she pointed out.

The Finance Minister said the appointment mechanism for the three private-sector members of the board has proven to be excessive, cumbersome and inefficient.

“There will still be private-sector representation; however, the Minister of Finance and the Public Service will make those appointments directly,” she said.

The Minister reminded the House of the prospective directors database established under the Public Bodies Management and Accountability (Nomination, Selection and Appointment to Boards) Regulations, where prospective directors are vetted and due diligence conducted as is appropriate.