COMPANIES, self-employed persons, partnerships, provident societies and other organisations have only a few days to meet the March 15 Income Tax deadline and the Tax Administration Directorate has made it easier to comply. A number of programmes have been introduced by the tax authorities to make submitting returns and paying taxes easier.

Where can I easily get tax forms?

Taxpayers have the convenience of downloading Income Tax Forms from the website www.jamaicatax.gov.jm. These forms may be completed electronically and then printed and signed for filing. Or persons may visit any of the 29 tax offices island wide to get the relevant forms.

Are there any special programmes to assist small business operators to prepare their income tax returns?

Yes. The Tax Administration began operating its annual Special Taxpayer Service Programme on January 15. The programme is aimed at assisting small business operators, professionals and self-employed persons to complete and file their income tax returns, to meet the March 15 deadline.

The eight-week programme, has over two hundred (200) free sessions scheduled right across the island at off-site locations — such as — town halls, school auditoriums, church halls, courthouses, and throughout the network of 29 tax offices. In the Corporate area for example, special “service sites” will be set up the St Andrew, Cross Roads and King Street Tax Offices at scheduled times during the week March 8 – 12. Details of the locations and times scheduled islandwide are available by contacting the Tax Administration Customer Care Centre at 1-888-TAX-HELP or the local Tax Office or visiting the website www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.

Taxpayers wishing to utilise the free service should take along their business documents such as Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN), bank statements, invoices, receipts, sales records and any other records used in their business operations.

Is there a number that persons can call to get tax advice?

Yes. Persons needing tax advice may call the Tax Administration Customer Care Centre at 1-888-TAX-HELP (1-888-829-4357) or email queries to taxhelp@tasd.gov.jm. Agents are available to assist persons to understand their rights and responsibilities and to guide them through the Income Tax filing process. The service operates from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm on Monday to Thursday and from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on Friday.

Are there alternate filing and payment options?

The Tax Administration has electronic “drop boxes” available at six (6) of the busiest locations. Therefore persons paying by cheque or simply filing a return may use the electronic drop box facility at any of the following tax offices:

1. King Street

2. Constant Spring

3. Cross Roads

4. Spanish Town

5. Mandeville

6. Montego Bay

Persons should also remember that the Portmore Tax Office opens on a Saturday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. They may use this location if they unable to transact business during the week at their regular tax office.

Additionally, the Tax Administration is working with FISCAL Services Ltd to finalise plans to introduce electronic filing of income tax returns by the March 15 due date. This will allow self-employed persons and companies to file and pay income tax from the convenience of their home or office, 24hrs daily via the “Virtual” Tax Office at www.jamaicatax-online.gov.jm, once they are duly registered to use the online filing option.

Will the tax offices be opening later?

To meet the demands of the taxpaying public, fourteen of the busiest tax offices will open one hour later on the due date, Monday, March 15. The tax offices which will remain open to the public until 5:00 pm are:

1. Kingston

2. Constant Spring

3. Cross Roads

4. Mandeville

5. May Pen

6. Spanish Town

7. Portmore

8. Montego Bay

9. Savanna-La-Mar

10. Morant Bay

11. Brown’s Town

12. St Ann’s Bay

13. Falmouth

14. Lucea

All other Tax Offices will operate their regular schedule.

With the various programmes in place to assist taxpayers, thereby making it easier to pay, taxpayers are urged to submit their final return for 2009 and estimated return for 2010, as well as make payments to meet the March 15 Income Tax deadline.

Seventh of special eight-part series running up to the March 15 due date for the filing of income tax returns