The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is reporting that inflation fell by 0.3 per cent in December 2014 when compared to November 2014. STATIN says the All Jamaica ‘All Divisions’ Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the change in the price level of goods and services purchased by a household, was 224.1 in December, compared to 224.9 in November 2014....

Employers are reminded that their Monthly Statutory Remittance payroll payments (S01) for the December period are due Wednesday, January 14, 2015 and are encouraged to file and pay these amounts on time to benefit from an Employment Tax Credit (ETC). The ETC allows eligible employers to make a claim when computing their income tax liability, starting with the year of...

Co-Chair of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Richard Byles, is also expressing confidence that Jamaica will pass the seventh consecutive International Monetary Fund (IMF) quarterly test. This follows similar sentiments expressed by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, at a function in Montego Bay last week. Addressing journalists at EPOC’s monthly press briefing on Tuesday,...

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) says it has a response plan in place to deal with the possible entry of diseases, such as the deadly Ebola virus. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the JCA, Major Richard Reese, told JIS News that in addition to implementing a response plan early, the agency also acquired several protective gear, including Hazmat suits. “We...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), along with its partner agencies National Housing Trust (NHT), National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and Heart Trust/NTA, has stepped up activities to provide support to employers to meet the new mandatory e-filing requirement. Business persons can access assistance through a series of sessions to help them with electronically filing their Employers Annual Return (S02) to meet the...

As the Government moves to strengthen the public sector’s capacity to deliver high quality and efficient services, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is implementing new measures to streamline its business processes, so as to reduce transaction and waiting times for customers. “These customer service initiatives not only speak to the service delivery provided by our staff, but also all our...

The Government will be tabling the 2015/16 Budget in February, with the estimates of expenditure and revenue estimates to be laid in the House of Representatives at the same time. “We are having a new budget cycle this year. In February, we will be laying the estimates of expenditures and for the first time, it is proposed to lay the...