Government seeks to collect $2.8b in property taxes

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has contracted 13 compliance officers to boost its property tax collections as it seeks to collect J$2.8 billion during the current fiscal year.

The team is to start its compliance efforts with delinquent property owners as of October 1, across the four regions in the island’s 14 parishes, the Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry, in partnership with Tax Administration Jamaica, held its first sensitization session with the team to outline the terms of reference, including the modalities for issuing reminders, serving of summonses, incentives and compensation packages. The main objective of the team is to collect arrears and current balances.

“The compliance team is a major initiative of the Government of Jamaica as it seeks to improve property tax compliance and collections so as to effectively fund the services for which this revenue source is primarily responsible – solid waste collection and disposal as well as payment for streetlight services,” the statement said.

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