KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Clients of Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) can expect continued improvement in customer service, and the handling of their assessments, as emphasis is being placed on the training of Revenue Administrators by the agency.

This was in evidence recently, as more Revenue Administrators participated in a Tax Audit and Revenue Administration (TARA) Post Graduate Diploma Programme, administered by the Management Institute for National Development (MIND). It was conducted over 13 months, with emphasis on arrears management, filing and registration, as well as customer service.

Keisha Rochester Thomas, who was awarded the top performer award, says it was inspiring to see that none of her fellow students had to re-sit exams, or re-do course work.

She pointed out that in all the courses, emphasis was placed on increasing collections, “as Tax Administration Jamaica enters a new era of extending its services online”.

“We must see our tax payers as clients, and if persons have debts, we can work together and create a contract for them to pay off those (outstanding) debts. I think that is what this training is about,” she notes.

The TARA programme turned out its first set of graduates in 1986, and to date it has trained over 600 persons. Individuals with a degree or diploma in accounting, management studies, business administration, and related disciplines can enter the programme.  

Meanwhile, Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Peter Phillips, says he hopes for a time when tax compliance rates will be high, the system is fully automated, and revenue officers will deliver the best service to clients.

“That’s a future that is not beyond us. That’s a future that is within our grasp. We have to believe in ourselves, and our possibilities, and given the record of performance that was reported in the programme, we will not be disappointed,” the Minister says.

Commissioner General at TAJ, Ainsley Powell, a TARA graduate, notes that persons who have gone through the programme have received promotions to positions, such as Financial Secretary. “The TARA programme measures up exceptionally well to its purpose,” he says.

He also noted that the agency prides itself in working “to serve you better, so we always seek to encourage our agents in their growth and development. The programme is money wisely spent”. 

Revenue Administrators investigate the full realm of tax responsibilities of each taxpayer with whom he/she comes in contact and deals with a series of situations, including delinquency, compliance and informal checks, which are tasks, which were formerly assigned to officers of various agencies.