TAX Administration Jamaica (TAJ) advised yesterday that the 10 per cent penalty is to be applied to late payments for the 2014/15 property tax assessments on March 1, 2015.

Property owners who make payments by February 28 will, however, avoid the penalty. The TAJ said it had delayed applying the penalty, which by law could have been charged as of May 1, 2014.

However, following discussions with the Ministry of Local Government the period was extended to give persons a longer period to settle their obligations for the 2014/15 period.

“The public is reminded that they can conveniently pay their property tax online using a credit card.

Persons may, however, continue to pay their property tax at any of the 29 tax offices across the island.

Individuals paying by cheque may also pay using the electronic drop boxes located in select main tax offices,” the TAJ said in a release.

It said property owners who are not sure how much property tax is owed should check using the Property Tax Query Online service, which allows persons to log on to the TAJ’s website and enter their valuation number and get the status of their property tax, going back seven years.