Special arrangements in place for tax day today

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) has made special arrangements at tax offices across the island and at its customer care centre to accommodate the large number of persons expected to file income tax returns and make calls on the due date today.



To facilitate a smooth operation, additional staff will be available to ensure that forms are properly completed and to direct taxpayers to the correct areas for filing their returns, the TAJ said in a statement.



Persons filing a “nil” return will be directed to specially assigned officers or a special line to submit their return.



Alternatively, persons may be advised to use the electronic drop boxes available in main tax offices to file a “nil” return or if they are paying by cheque.



In addition, extra cashiering stations will be opened at several tax offices, primarily to handle the large volume of returns normally submitted by accounting firms.



To accommodate the expected last minute rush, 14 of the usually busiest tax offices will remain open for an extra hour.



The following tax offices will therefore close at 4:00 pm today: Kingston, Constant Spring, Cross Roads, Mandeville, May Pen, Spanish Town, Portmore, Montego Bay, Savanna-La-Mar, Morant Bay, Brown’s Town, St. Ann’s Bay, Falmouth, and Lucea.



All other offices will operate at their usual hours.



At its call centre, the toll-free service 1-888-TAX-HELP (829-4357) will be available until 7:00 pm to handle increased calls.



The additional two hours will allow business persons to register for online filing and/or to get assistance to prepare and file their returns online.



Despite the special measures being put in place, persons are advised that they may still experience delays due to the expected crowds and the increased volume of calls.



The TAJ said the March 15 deadline for business operators to file income tax returns will not be extended.



“This means that all companies, self-employed persons, partnerships, organisations and employed persons who have additional income must file their annual income tax return for 2011 and their declaration of estimated income and tax payable for 2012 and pay the tax due on March 15,” TAJ said.



It said returns filed after March 15 will be considered late and may attract a penalty or sanctions may be brought against the taxpayer.



In addition, where no return is filed, a “Failure to File Notice” may be issued and/or an estimated return automatically generated by TAJ, or other enforcement action taken.



business@gleanerjm.com