With the income tax filing period now behind us, let us talk about the responsibility employers have to file an annual return, which reflects payments to and tax deducted at source from their employees.

Since last year, Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), National Housing Trust (NHT), National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the HEART Trust/NTA partnered to consolidate the process for filing employer’s annual returns, making it so much easier. Employers now have the convenience of using ONE FORM, ONE PLACE and ONE DATE to file their annual return. This was done to amalgamate data related to payroll deductions in an effort to promote greater convenience for employers. By now employers should be preparing to file this return. To assist employers to meet their filing obligation, here are a few facts about the Employer’s Annual Return S02.

ONE FORM

The Employer’s Annual Return (S02) is a single form which consolidates employer’s annual payroll information for NHT, NIS, Education Tax and PAYE (Income Tax) and replaces:

1. C4 – Employer’s Annual Return: Declaration and Certificate (NIS/NHT)

2. IT06 – Employer’s Annual Return PAYE (Income Tax)

3. IT06 – PAYE Employer’s Annual Return Schedule 5 & 6

4. ET02 – EDTAX Self-Employed Annual Return (with employees)

5. ET03 – EDTAX Organisation Annual Return

6. Deduction Cards

The S02 form is available at all TAJ, NHT and NIS offices, as well as electronically on the websites of the various agencies, www.jamaicatax.gov.jm, www.nht.gov.jm and www.mlss.gov.jm. Employers are reminded that the form MUST be properly completed and that they should pay particular attention to entering the Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) and NIS number for all employees, where applicable. It should be noted that an incomplete return will not be accepted.

ONE PLACE

With the introduction of the consolidated Employer’s Annual Return S02, employers no longer have to file separate returns, making it unnecessary for them to visit NHT, NIS and a Tax Office to file separate returns. They now only have to file one single return at any one place, either online or at any Tax Office or a NHT Office.

For persons using the online option, the S02 return can be filed via the Jamaica Tax Portal at www.jamaicataxonline.gov.jm. The Government of Jamaica has taken the lead in the use of this convenient option by advising its Ministries, Departments and Agencies to file their Employer’s Annual Return using the online platform. Employers, particularly those with more than forty (40) persons on their payroll, are also encouraged to use the online method.

However, employers will first need to register to access the online filing option. To register, persons should complete an Application for Electronic Filing Account Registration form and submit it to a tax office or have it processed through the Tax Administration’s Customer Care Centre 1-888-TAX-HELP. Once registered, the online system allows for the uploading of data captured in the schedules. A receipt number and a copy of the endorsed return will be automatically generated for the employer’s records once a return is filed online.

ONE DATE

Employers are reminded that the filing date for the Employer’s Annual Return (S02) is March 31, synchronising the previous filing dates for the separate payroll returns. The March 31 due date was considered and accepted based on a recommendation from business persons and other stakeholders.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FOR FILING S02

To get additional information about preparing and filing the Employer’s Annual Return to meet the March 31 due date, employers may contact the TAJ or NHT Customer Care Centres at 1-888-TAX-HELP (829-4357) or 1-888-CALL-NHT (225-5648) or email queries to taxhelp@taj.gov.jm or visit the online S02 Hub at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.

Additionally, in an effort to assist in the filing process and to promote online filing of the S02, a cross agency compliance team from TAJ, National Housing Trust, National Insurance Scheme and the HEART Trust NTA is collaborating to provide one-on-one guidance and support to employers across the island. This initiative is being supported by the TAJ’s Special Taxpayer Assistance Programme, which is being conducted to support small business operators.

Additional information on this and other tax information is available through the Tax Administration Jamaica’s Customer Care Centre at 1-888-TAX-HELP (1-888-829-4357) or on-line at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm

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