Property tax dodgers to be exposed

PERSONS WHO have been delinquent in paying their property taxes will have their names printed in the newspapers, says Richard Reese, director general in the Department of Local Government.

Addressing the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament which examined the second Supplementary Estimates for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, Reese said the move is to be undertaken to help the Government rake in revenue from delinquent taxpayers.

"We have received legal advice that we can proceed with the gazetting of persons who are in arrears. We have prepared the list and expect to gazette the names of persons who are delinquent up to five years. We will also be taking similar actions in terms of persons in their seventh year, just prior to the start of the new financial year. If we take action, then the seventh year they would not get a waiver," Reese said.

He added: "We also intend to have that gazette notice published in the newspapers."

Light-bill reminders

The director general also said, beginning this month, some 350,000 Jamaica Public Service Company customers will get reminders in their light bills indicating the need for them to pay utility bills.

"We expect that this action, in addition to court action, will see an increase in the arrears collection and compliance," Reese said.

He also said the department has sent a submission to the Ministry of Finance with proposals about how to increase revenue through property tax collection.

Property taxes are used to pay for street lighting and to deal with the management of solid waste. A lower-than-projected collection of property taxes this fiscal year forced the finance ministry to reallocate $500 million to the Department of Local Government to pay for street lighting.