Property tax enforcement drive continuing in St James this weekend

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), in collaboration with the St James Municipal Corporation, is continuing its enforcement activities against chronically delinquent property tax payers in St James this weekend.

The combined effort is aimed at improving property tax collection and compliance in the parish.

The teams are to focus on the communities of Torada Heights, Coral Gardens, Ironshore, Spring Estate, and Caribbean Heights from Friday, October 25 to Saturday, October 26, 2024, with a shift in focus to the Providence Heights community on Sunday, October 27.

The tax authority has indicated that it has been quite encouraged by the results of such targeted operations in the parish, including results from the previous enforcement activity conducted in the Cornwall Courts community in June of this year. Data indicates that as of September 30, 2024, the compliance rate jumped to 60 per cent from historically low levels of less than 25 per cent.

More than 200 garnishment notices have been served on delinquent taxpayers, with an additional 300 prepared for dispatch.

Additionally, the enforcement team is to take more than 100 residents to court to recover the unpaid property taxes, as well as explore the option of seizing motor vehicles and placing liens on properties for those residents who have the ability to pay the outstanding property taxes.

In a release, TAJ said it will provide support to taxpayers who are interested in settling outstanding amounts promptly, by making the mobile tax collections unit available in the Whitter Village community on the following days:

Day 1 and 2: October 25 to 26: 8:00 am to 2:00 pmDay 3: Sunday, October 27: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

The joint teams are to engage property owners in various ways, including account settlements, issuance of final notices, and creating customised payment arrangements, to assist those who are facing challenges in meeting their tax obligations.

Additionally, the teams will be delivering congratulatory letters to individuals who have consistently fulfilled their property tax obligations on time.

The tax authority is encouraging residents to use the opportunity to settle outstanding balances by utilising a payment plan if they cannot afford to settle the full amount during the period of the operation. Residents can do so by visiting the team at Whitter Village or the nearest tax office during business hours to setup a payment plan.

Additionally, residents may opt pay their property tax via the tax portal at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm by using a valid credit card or debit card; the TAJ app, downloadable in the Google Play Store; the National Commercial Bank and Scotiabank platforms by adding TAJ as a payee, the Scotia Mobile App, or at any of the 28 tax offices.