Late property tax may attract 10% penalty

THE TAX Administration Services Department (TASD) is reminding the public that property-tax payments for 2010-2011, now due at the new rates, may be made in full, half-yearly or quarterly instalments.

"Half-yearly instalments are to be made on April 1 and October 1, while quarterly instalments are to be made on April 1, July 1, October 1 and January 1," the department said in a release.

"Please note that any property tax, whether payment is in full or a first instalment, made after April 30 may attract a 10 per cent penalty."

The department said that to make it more convenient for property owners, the TASD has made a number of options available for paying property tax.

Persons may visit any of the 29 tax offices located across the island to make their payments. Persons may also pay their property tax on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Portmore office.

The department said pay-ments may also be made via its online payment portal at www.jamaicatax-online.gov.jm.

Additionally, during the months of April to June, the Inland Revenue Department will carry out outstation operations, at scheduled times and places, particularly in the rural areas. This will allow persons an alternative to visiting a tax office to make their property-tax payments. All Inland Revenue officers assigned to outstations will wear their staff ID and a receipt will be given for all payments made.

For more information and details of the schedule for outstation operations, persons may contact the TASD customer care centreat 1-888-TAX-HELP (1-888-829-4357; local); 1-888-GO-JATAX (1-888-46-52829; USA); taxhelp@tasd.gov.jm or visit www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.