Westmoreland Chamber hosts tax-compliance workshop

Arnold Clarke, assistant general manager for customer service at the TAD office in Montego Bay, spoke to members about the benefits of being compliant, penalties attracted when taxes are not paid and settling arrears.

Clarke says an ongoing educational programme is bearing fruits as more persons are ensuring compliance.

"More taxpayers are coming on board as a result of being more informed," he told Western Focus.

Since May 1, the organisation with overall responsibility for collecting domestic taxes is the Tax Administration Department of Jamaica. It is charged with all domestic tax activities, excluding customs tax and import duties, which are considered as international taxes.

TAD is the consolidation of the Taxpayers Audit and Assessment Department, Inland Revenue Department and Tax Adminis-tration Services.

Nigel Myrie, president of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says it is good to keep abreast of the changes within the tax administration.

"This is a way in which we seek to educate our members about tax-related activities. We find that arrears come about as a result of challenging economic times, so this meeting serves to inform us how we can deal with it," Myrie noted.

"We lobby for the interest of the business sector so that we are able to survive in the economy that we operate in."

He noted that emphasis is placed on the environment with special attention given to education and health services.

"Productivity is influenced by the education and health of employees. Crime is also a factor which affects businesses, so we work closely with the police."