Tax exemption proposed for caregivers of people with disabilities
Jamaicans are being called on to throw their weight behind a petition calling for income tax exemption for the parents or caregivers of persons with disabilities.
The petition, which was mounted on the Jamaica House Petition portal on April 2, has garnered only 2,654 of the required 15,000 signatures to qualify for a review, and is set to expire on November 6.
The petitioners, whose particulars are not published, contend that caregivers of people with disabilities should benefit from the exemption in the same way as people registered with disabilities through the Jamaica Council of Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) and who manage to gain employment benefit from an income tax exemption.
“This benefit is intended to provide some amount of financial relief to the person with the disability and is effective from the verified date of the onset of the disability,” the petitioners said.
Furthermore, they said, “Considering also that some persons with disabilities will require lifelong support from their family and other caregivers, it is not only fair and just, but long overdue that such an exemption be extended to the verified caregivers of the person with the disability.”
“Those charged with the responsibility for others with disabilities do so at a greater financial burden, and it is only right that the authorities recognise this and extend the tax relief to persons who manage and care for the disabled. The reality is that, in most instances, the tax exemption would only amount to a partial defray of the true cost of caregiving,” the petitioners said further.
The portal’s petition policy states, “If you gather 15,000 signatures in 40 days, we’ll review your petition, and if it complies with agreed standards, the Office of the Prime Minister will issue an official response.”
Only Jamaican citizens can create or sign a petition.
Income earned in Jamaica is taxed, regardless of the origin of the funds and residency status. Individuals earning more than $1.7 million per year pay income tax; none is deducted from individuals who earn $1.7 million or less per year.
