Mad rush at tax offices as ticket amnesty winds down

Jerome Reynolds, Gleaner Writer

Officials at Tax Administration Jamaica are now working out a plan of action to handle the mad rush by motorists to tax offices with one business day left in the six-month traffic ticket amnesty.

With the amnesty scheduled to come to an end on Monday, there are long lines at some tax offices with personnel working hard to handle the large crowds.

At the Cross Roads Tax Office the crowd has spilled outside.

One motorist described the King Street Collectorate in downtown Kingston as a headache, saying he has had to leave without paying the ticket because of the long wait.

Motorists have also flocked to the headquarters of the police Traffic Department to settle traffic ticket issues.

Our news centre was informed that officials at Tax Administration are now meeting to discuss how best to handle the situation.

It’s understood that Tax Administration is considering extending opening hours at some tax offices and possibly opening on the weekend.

Our news centre was also informed that a statement is to be released to the public later today on the final decision.

The traffic ticket amnesty was implemented in July and applies to offenders with unpaid tickets issued before September 21, 2010.

Useful traffic ticket amnesty information:

*Website: Find out if you have outstanding tickets at http://www.ttamnesty.mns.gov.jm/Amnesty/

*Amnesty hotline: 928-2155 or 928-3450.

*Tickets can only be paid at tax offices.

*You must take you traffic ticket number obtained from the website and your TRN