TAX Administration Jamaica (TAJ) says it will be implementing the next phase of its mandatory e-filing of returns at the start of the 2018/2019 financial year.

As a result, as of April 1, 2018, small and micro businesses registered as GCT taxpayers will be required to e-file their GCT returns via the Jamaica Tax Portal at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm online, as is currently being done by large and medium taxpayers.

This new procedural change will require small (lower and upper) and micro taxpayers, classified by annual total supplies/turnover of $150 million and below, to file their monthly GCT returns online.

TAJ said recent statistics indicated that approximately 59 per cent of this group are already filing their GCT returns online. A further analysis of the data, it added, showed that 64 per cent of all GCT returns received by TAJ between January and October 2017, have been filed electronically, suggesting a steady increase in the subscription to TAJ’s online services.

To assist small and micro businesses to meet the upcoming obligation, TAJ is providing training support to persons identified in this fourth phase of the mandatory e-filing requirement. Taxpayers, it said, can therefore make arrangements for e-one-on-one sessions to train their staff or request an advisory visit at their business location to get assistance on the procedure to e-file returns.

Taxpayers also have the option of conducting their online transaction at any major tax office at the designated e-TaxSpot, to get support from TAJ personnel while conducting their electronic filing transactions. Additionally, a ‘How To’ guide for e-filing of consumption tax returns is available online on the TAJ website at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.

Additionally, while this group of taxpayers will be mandated to e-file their GCT returns next April, they are encouraged to use the online tax portal to file their GCT returns for the month of November which becomes due and must be filed today, Friday December 29, 2017. Support will also be provided, if required, said a TAJ release.

Employers, large and medium taxpayers are already required to file online and TAJ will be moving in short order, to require other taxpayer segments and types of returns to be filed electronically.

“This move is in keeping with TAJ’s continued focus on enhancing system capacity to capture data in a more accurate and timely manner, as well as to assist in the efforts to develop a more efficient tax system. The amendment to the Revenue Administration Act gives the commissioner general the authority to require any person to furnish a return as considered necessary in such form and manner as directed.