TAJ Strengthens Communication About Special Arrears Settlement Programme

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is intensifying its communication efforts to ensure taxpayers are well-informed about the Special Arrears Settlement Programme.

The initiative, which commenced approximately three weeks ago, is a one-time opportunity for taxpayers to benefit from a waiver of interests, penalties, and surcharges, providing that they clear outstanding principal balances owed on selected taxes by March 31, 2025.

The tax types are Education Tax, Corporate Income Tax, individual income tax, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Special Consumption Tax, General Consumption Tax, Asset Tax and Partnership Income Tax.

As part of its sensitisation strategy, TAJ has engaged in a series of initiatives targeting key stakeholders, including accounting professionals, businesses and the general public.

Chief Corporate Communications Officer at TAJ, Meris Haughton, told JIS News that the entity hosted a webinar with leading accounting bodies.

“We see the accountants as a partner within this because they represent a number of clients. We have engaged them and made documentation available not just to the accountants but to all persons. There’s a document which gives a full framework of the programme that persons can look at to see how they can take advantage of it,” she said.

Additionally, the TAJ has developed frequently asked questions (FAQs) for persons who have additional queries.

“As we have been engaging with persons, they have been calling through to our compliance officers and our taxpayer service teams. We have been getting a number of questions, so what we have done is to put those questions together and have information made available as the answers to them,” Ms. Haughton noted.

To enhance accessibility to information on the programme, TAJ has established a dedicated information hub on its website, www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.

“They can go into that information hub. They can see the framework of the programme and the frequently asked questions. They may see questions that they, too, have, and the answers are there for them. So, that’s one way that they can also access information,” Ms. Haughton said.

Taxpayers can seek assistance through TAJ’s Customer Care Centre by calling 888-TAX-HELP (888-829-4357), where trained agents are available to provide guidance. They may also visit any tax office for in-person consultation regarding their eligibility and the benefits of participating in the programme.