Since the start of the fiscal year Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) through its Special Enforcement Team (SET), has moved to intensify enforcement action against delinquent taxpayers. To date, TAJ in collaboration with the police has arrested twelve (12) persons for outstanding sums of just over $6.5 M.
The breaches, which range across tax types such as PAYE, Income Tax, Education Tax, GCT and Property Tax, led to the arrests in the parishes of Westmoreland, Clarendon, Portland, St. Ann and St. Mary. Subsequent to the arrests, the tax authority has recovered Six Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty Dollars ($6,558,108).
The Special Enforcement Team (SET), which operates island wide, is mandated to handle all recovery matters relating to chronically delinquent taxpayers for various tax breaches. SET works closely with the police in an effort to have warrants of commitment ordered by the Court executed, and to carry out operations to seize assets to cover outstanding tax.
In addition to making arrests where Judgement Order is given by the Court the tax authority will also continue to intensify other enforcement and collections efforts to recover outstanding sums, while increasing taxpayer education and improving service delivery. Taxpayers are therefore encouraged to speak with TAJ to make suitable arrangements, if they are faced with difficulties in honouring their tax obligations, to avoid enforcement action.
Source: JamaicaTax.gov.jm