Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is advising all property owners that Property Tax liabilities for the 2019/20 fiscal year are now available and become due April 1. This means that persons are able to make payments online or in person. It should be noted that amounts to be paid remain the same as last year as there has been no increase in Property Tax rates.

Property owners are reminded that they have the option of paying their Property Tax in half-yearly instalments on April 1 and October 1 or in quarterly instalments on April 1, July 1, October 1, and January 1.

Persons are encouraged to pay their Property Tax online via the Tax Portal a www.jamaicatax.gov.jm, using a KeyCard, Mastercard, or Visa credit card, instead of visiting a Tax Office to do so. Property owners using the online option are advised that they should have the valuation number of the property on hand when making the payment.

In addition to the online option, Property Tax payments may be made at any of the 29 Tax Offices across the island. Mobile Tax Collection Units operated by the Ministry of Local Government in collaboration with TAJ will be available on a schedule in specified communities.

Persons have until the end of April to pay the current year liability to avoid a 10% penalty, which may be applied.

For added convenience, a Property Tax Query Online service is also available, which allows persons to access information about their Property Tax status. Property owners can log on to TAJ's website at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm enter their valuation number, to check the status of their Property Tax, going back seven (7) years.

Persons in arrears for previous years are cautioned that action will be taken against them for overdue amounts. The Kingston Revenue Service Centre supported by the Ministry of Local Government recently conducted a Property Tax collection drive in several communities in St. Catherine, where teams executed warrants valued at approximately $759M. Additionally, 5726 final notices valued at approximately $131M were served on delinquent taxpayers.

Property owners are therefore advised to pay all outstanding amounts or to visit the nearest Tax Office to make an arrangement to pay, if they are experiencing a difficulty paying, to avoid compliance action.

For further information persons may call the Tax Administration Jamaica Customer Care Centre at 888-Tax-Help (888-829-4357) or visit the website the Property Tax information hub on the TAJ website at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.