TAX Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is expecting improved efficiency through the implementation of Phase Two of its new Revenue Administration Integrated System (RAiS), which is scheduled for roll-out on December 7.

Through this phase of the programme, individuals will, for the first time, be able to apply for their Tax Registration Number (TRN) and Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) online. There will also be improved web services related to e-filing and payments of income tax, payroll xaxes, education and asset taxes.

Communications officer at the TAJ, Leighton Beckles, in an interview with JIS News, said the agency expects significant impact from the implementation of this phase, especially as it relates to the online applications for TRN and TCC.

“We are looking to see a reduction in the number of walk-ins to our locations across the island, because more persons will have the ease through which they can actually do so online. We are expecting to see an incredible turnaround in delivery and efficiency,” he said.

Beckles said income tax, minimum business tax, payroll taxes and contributions, including NIS, NHT, HEART, education and asset taxes will be integrated into the RAiS platform, which will allow taxpayers or their intermediaries to access enhanced web services related to these taxes. These services include: viewing filing and payment history, creating a payment plan, requesting a refund, objecting to an assessment, and automating direct bank payments.

He explained that RAiS is a multifaceted system which will have benefits for external clientele as well as for staff.

“RAiS phase two is what we would call an evolutionary step in the tax-paying experience, so persons who will continue to interact with our services will get a service that is more efficient, that is more user-friendly, and one that seeks to make this business of paying taxes and collecting taxes so much easier,” he said.

Beckles pointed out that the department will expand the way in which it uses RAiS to manage tax arrears, to generate letters of notice, and to assign work items related to the additional tax types that will be implemented.

Phase One of RAiS was implemented in February of this year. It simplified the payment of consumption taxes to include General Consumption Tax, Special Consumption Tax, Telephone Call Tax, and Guest Accommodation Room Tax. It also allowed access to a range of features, including verifying tax withholding and zero-rated entities, and granted third-party access to their accounts.

Beckles said the implementation of Phase one has so far been successful. “The uptake has been pretty significant, especially from our hoteliers, who have been paying over their Guest Accommodation Room Tax, as well as persons paying their GCT on a monthly basis. We have seen where it has improved the tax-paying experience for taxpayers right across the island in the various sectors,” he said.

“So, we are predicting that RAiS phase two will do that and even more, because the tax types that it will impact now are much larger tax margins; and tax types that affect much larger groups. So, we will be able to see that same type of improved, value-added service replicated,” he added.

The TAJ, in preparation for the December roll-out of RAiS phase two, has begun a series of stakeholder sensitisation sessions, as well as staff training activities.