The Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Fayval Williams has announced that the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) has contacted 7,500 individuals of the 30,000 taxpayers to benefit from the Special Arrears Settlement Programme (SASP).

The programme which started in late January is designed to bring relief to taxpayers who have accrued interest, penalties, and surcharges on the outstanding principal amount of taxes.

Three billion dollars have reportedly been collected under the programme so far.

Williams, while speaking at the Post Cabinet Press Briefing on Wednesday, February 19, stated that the SASP will alleviate the financial burden on taxpayers by providing them with an opportunity to clear their debts.

“Taxpayers will be able to clear their debts without the additional costs typically associated with late filing and payments. By waiving these extra charges, the programme promotes timely compliance and supports taxpayers in achieving financial stability that will foster continued voluntary compliance,” she said.

She further noted that the amount of tax outstanding has increased to a considerable amount. “When you look at the tax amount that is outstanding, taxes, and all the associated penalties, interest, and surcharges, it’s approximately $139.3 billion. Forty-two and a half per cent of that is greater than seven years old.

“As a government, we saw the need to structure the SASP, and when we consider the many shocks that individuals and businesses have endured over the last 10 years, we had to ask the TAJ to make adjustments in order to reduce the arrears,” Williams continued.

Additionally, she highlighted that PIOJ has been collating all the shocks, such as the weather events our economy has endured. “The PIOJ has been collating all the weather events we have endured in this economy. This data dates back to 1999, and we had 22 weather events, including Rafael and the massive amount of rain in 2024,” she stated.

This caused many businesses to suffer in terms of losing customers and income. She noted that it was with this in mind that taxpayers are being given the opportunity to clear their outstanding principal amounts for selected tax types. Taxpayers are expected to pay these amounts by March 31, 2025.

If the principal amount is paid by the deadline, the government of Jamaica will waive any unpaid interest and any penalties and surcharges. “The selected tax type on which these elements will be waived include education tax, corporate income tax, individual income tax, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), special consumption tax, general consumption tax, assets tax, and partnership income tax.”

“In many situations, if your case is under objection, you can still qualify for the waiver, and if your case is under appeal,” Williams added.

However, she implores Jamaicans to call the TAJ to get more details of their particular situation in an effort to take advantage of this relief that is provided by the government.