Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is continuing to make the necessary preparations to begin the phased implementation of its new Revenue Administration Information System (RAiS) beginning February 2015. Training is currently underway across the TAJ operations to prepare staff to use the new system. Additionally, TAJ is set to begin a series of stakeholder sessions, which will be conducted across the island, to engage primarily business operators and accountants who will be interacting with the system regularly.

This first phase, set for rollout February 9, 2015, will involve the implementation of General Consumption (GCT), Special Consumption Tax (SCT), Guest Accommodation Room Tax (GART) and Telephone Call Tax. The other tax types will continue to be processed on the existing system, until they are phased in over two remaining phases.

The new system will benefit taxpayers greatly by allowing them to access their information and transact business through a web based Taxpayer Access Point (TAP). Customers using RAiS will be able to view their filing/payment history, as well as any notice sent by the administration. The new system will also allow persons to apply online for all GCT refunds, make payment arrangements, and submit notice of objection, as it relates the particular tax types. Customers will also benefit from a more interactive electronic filing experience and be able to make online payments using an automated direct banking (ACH) option, to be made available in this phase. Additionally, customers will be able to file and pay GART and Telephone Call Tax online.

June 2016 is the date set for full implementation of RAiS, which is being spearheaded by TAJ in partnership with Egov Jamaica and FAST Enterprise LLC, a US based firm which has rolled out similar applications in over 140 projects worldwide. The two year RAiS project is expected to significantly improve the TAJ’s capacity to integrate and administer the various tax systems currently in use.

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