The House of Representatives has approved changes to two pieces of legislation to address a long-standing administrative issue relating to the operation of the income and asset tax systems and respond to the national emergency caused by Hurricane Melissa. They are the Asset Tax Specified Bodies Amendment Bill and the Income Tax Amendment Bill, which provide for a limited adjustment...

The Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) has welcomed the move to impose a Special Consumption Tax (SCT) on non-alcoholic beverages containing added sugar or other caloric sweeteners, as a victory for preventive medicine and the long-term health of the population. Declaring support for the Government’s action, MAJ President, Professor Marvin Reid, said the group’s position on the tax has to...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has issued a call to the private sector and corporations operating in Jamaica to ensure that their supply chains are free from child labour. He also urged the adoption of transparent, responsible business practices consistent with international labour standards. The Minister was responding to the outcomes of the Sixth Global...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is committed to safeguarding the country’s borders as a key part of the national security architecture and resilience. He said that strong border protection will require significant investment in technology, patrol vessels, maritime surveillance, infrastructure, and personnel to enhance detection and response capabilities. “We must invest in layered surveillance,...

A sum of $1.08 billion has been allocated in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure for upgrading Tax Administration Jamaica’s (TAJ’s) Revenue Administration Information System (RAIS). Upgrading the RAIS will improve the user experience and provide access to modern technological features and enhanced security systems. It is also intended to improve voluntary tax compliance and satisfy the requirements of the Foreign...

The Government has allocated $950 million to continue phase two of the rehabilitation of agricultural research facilities in fiscal year 2026/27. The provision is contained in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on February 12 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams. The Rehabilitation of Research Centres Project was...

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, on Thursday (February 19), hosted a virtual sensitisation session to update Justices of the Peace (JPs) on their role in relation to the processes of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). The session formed part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of JPs as justice sector personnel and to...