KINGSTON, Jamaica–Taxpayers seeking to benefit from the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) Special Arrears Settlement Programme (SASP) can now take advantage of flexible payment arrangements to settle their outstanding taxes.

The programme provides relief by waiving interest, penalties, and surcharges for taxpayers who clear their principal balances by March 31, 2025.

Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on February 7, deputy commissioner general of operations at TAJ, Dave Jeffery, emphasised the importance of reaching out to the agency to explore payment options.

“You don’t have to pay the full principal amount at once if you are unable to, although we encourage full settlement. If you can only pay a portion, you will receive relief proportional to that payment,” Jeffery explained.

Taxpayers with outstanding principal amounts for the following tax types can benefit from the SASP – Education Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Individual Income Tax, Asset and Partnership Income Tax, General Consumption Tax (GCT), and Special Consumption Tax (SCT).

While taxpayers with GCT and SCT can participate in the SASP, legislative requirements mandate that an application must be submitted in writing.

Meanwhile, project lead and general manager at the Montego Bay Revenue Service Centre, Keeble Downie, assured that taxpayers do not require a formal arrangement to make outstanding payments.

“Typically, the TAJ requires a formal arrangement for payments. However, under this special programme, once payments are made within the designated period and tax returns are up to date, taxpayers will qualify for the waiver,” Downie stated.

Taxpayers may make multiple payments over time, provided all payments are completed by March 31, 2025.

For individuals facing financial challenges in settling their arrears, TAJ encourages taxpayers to consider obtaining loans from financial institutions.

For her part, chief corporate communications officer at TAJ, Meris Haughton, said the TAJ has proactively engaged financial institutions where taxpayers may be seeking loans to settle their outstanding principal amounts.

“We have advised financial institutions about the SASP, so that they can guide their clients on loan options. Borrowing to settle arrears can be a cost-effective solution, as it enables taxpayers to benefit from waived interest, penalties, and surcharges,” she said.

Haughton further noted that many taxpayers have already taken advantage of this option.

Persons can get more information by visiting the TAJ website at jamaiacatax.gov.jm

-JIS