MOTORISTS can now pay their motor vehicle fitness fees online.

The Ministry of Transport and Mining announced in a release yesterday that the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and Island Traffic Authority (ITA) have teamed up to provide motorists with this “easier way” of paying their fees.

“These fees can now be paid online at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm and motorists will no longer have to visit a tax office to do so, the release said.

The ministry also named the ITA depots t hat will facilitate the processing of fitness certificates paid online. They are:

The ITA Depots that will facilitate the processing of Fitness Certificates paid for on line are: Swallowfield; Harbour View and Spanish Town Road in Kingston; St Thomas; Spanish Town in St Catherine; Mandeville in Manchester; St Ann’s Bay in St Ann; and Montego Bay, in St James.

The online payment service, according to the release, is expected to be rolled out at Port Antonio, Port Maria, Falmouth, Lucea, and Black River depots by the end of the calendar year. The Savanna-la-Mar depot, which is currently under construction, will come on stream upon completion, the ministry said.

Transport and Mining Minister Lester ‘Mike’ Henry says the new service provision online is in keeping with a thrust to make it easier for motorists to do business with Government, reduce waiting time at tax offices, as well as, reducing, if not eliminating, opportunities for corruption.

According to Henry, the use of technology in the provision of services is not only convenient, but is secure and less time consuming.

Meanwhile, chief corporate communications officer at the TAJ, Meris Haughton, says the process is simple and requires motorists to log in to the TAJ Payment Portal using their client login.

According to Haughton, the customer may click on the ‘Pay Your Motor Vehicle Fees’ tab or select ‘The Motor Vehicle Fees’ option under ‘Pay Other Taxes and Fees’ and choose the option for their vehicle type. A tax registration number (TRN), a branch number, where applicable, and a valid credit card are required to complete the transaction.

“The motorist may then print the statement of payment or record the reference number before proceeding to any of the participating ITA depots to have the vehicle inspected and certified,” the release said. “Upon arrival at the ITA depot, motorists may then present the statement of payment or reference number, TRN and the date the fee was purchased.”

According to the release, Haughton also encouraged motorists to use the new online facility, because the onsite payment facility at the Swallowfield Depot will eventually be phased out.