Tax evaders soon just a click away
Published:Thursday | September 23, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writer
Very soon property tax evaders will be snared with the click of a mouse.
The National Land Agency (NLA) is adding another feature to the newly launched online interactive map of Jamaica, with which the Government will be able to zoom in on property tax evaders.
The new iMap (interactive map), developed by the NLA, allows free access to users who are interested in navigation or information related to plots of land, such as valuation roll reports and certificates of title.
Robert Montague, state minister with responsibility for local government, is interested in adding another layer to the map that will highlight the areas where property taxes are outstanding, taking government officials right to the source with the option of viewing a satellite image.
"If we can target those who don't pay, we'll save time and money. So my officers don't have to go into a community and knock on everybody's door to get a receipt," Montague told The Gleaner.
"(We'll) just go to the man who has not paid."
No timeline yet
Elizabeth Stair, chief executive officer of the NLA, was unable to say when this feature would be implemented, considering a timeline outlining technological details has to be decided on.
The iMap is revolutionary for Jamaica, filling in the gaps left by Google Maps, an online interactive tool provided by Internet giant Google.
For those who are interested in navigation, with the capable Internet bandwidth and patience, persons are able to have access to routes and street names that Google might not provide.
Points of interest outlined on the map also include the locations of schools, police stations, hospitals, fire stations and even fire hydrants.
However, there is also more in-depth information to be accessed by realtors, valuers, lawyers, financial institutions, surveyors and developers.
Through the eLandjamaica application, Internet users are able to identify a parcel of land by clicking on it or entering geographic coordinates, the property address, valuation number or title reference.
By using this application, anyone will have access to copies of certificates of title, deposited plans, and valuation reports which will provide information, including the landowner, possessor, the address, acreage and unimproved value.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz described the web-based tool as a "revolution".
However, he also addressed privacy concerns, noting that current technological advancements that are taking place globally deprive persons of the "desire for privacy".
"With the Internet, there is very little you can't find out if you really know how to use it and if you really want to. If it's not (iMap), it will be some other form of technology that will make the privacy aspect redundant," Vaz added.
During an iMap demonstration at the Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew, the demonstrator, Sherlock Glenister, asked Montague, St Mary's member of parliament: "Does that look familiar?"
Glenister seemed to be moving the cursor along the roof of St Mary High School.
"I think so, but I don't know about it from above," Montague quipped.
Users who are able to identify buildings from above, or notice that street names are spelt incorrectly, are able to report data problems using the application, and these will be rectified by NLA system supporters.