TAJ Investing $11 Billion in Creating Modern Tax Offices

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is projected to invest more than $11 billion in capital projects to modernise, upgrade and construct new tax offices across Jamaica over the next three years.

The works to be undertaken will provide a more comfortable and efficient experience for taxpayers.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, who provided details during the opening of the 2024/25 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 12, said $2.3 billion will be spent to construct an eight-storey full-service tax office and business centre in Cross Roads, St. Andrew.

“The Cross Roads Tax Office is out of space. Sometimes, the lines extend outside the building onto the sidewalk and bend around the building. This is not acceptable. This tax office is one of the busiest,” he noted.

He informed that the TAJ has acquired part of the Nuttall lands to build the eight-story structure, which will feature underground and surface parking, large and spacious enough to accommodate the taxpaying public.

Turning to other projects, Dr. Clarke informed that the Christiana Tax Office in Manchester, projected to cost $760 million, is 52 per cent completed.

He said approximately $953 million will be spent on the construction of the Mandeville Revenue Centre, also in Manchester.

“The TAJ has leased the property…the initial procurement failed, we’re going back again and hoping construction will start in the upcoming fiscal year,” he indicated.

He said that $2.4 billion will be spent to upgrade the Montego Bay Revenue Centre in St. James, and a brand-new tax office will be built in Brown’s Town, St. Ann at a cost of $930 million.

“The property has been purchased. National Works Agency (NWA) and other professionals have been engaged and we’re moving to the next stage of design and approvals,” Dr. Clarke told the House.

In addition, he said that land for the Santa Cruz Tax Office in St. Elizabeth has been purchased.

“Initial estimates (indicate) that this project will (cost) $920 million. This is a multi-year project,” he said.

Dr. Clarke further informed that the Annotto Bay Tax Office in Portland is undergoing renovation and $1.9 billion will be spent for the building of a Portmore Tax Office in St. Catherine.

“This is a Government that’s building out the public investment infrastructure of the country,” he said.