Days to go
Government rakes in millions in traffic ticket amnesty
THE GOVERNMENT has collected nearly $200 million from motorists with just under two weeks remaining until the close of the traffic ticket amnesty.
“Collections up to the middle of last week stood at approximately $223 million since the start of the amnesty, and that is actually in line with what we had expected,” said Meris Haughton, Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) director of communications.
Haughton told The Gleaner that motorists have been making use of the amnesty but urged continued use of the time available to avoid the expected rush when the amnesty ends later this month.
“It has been going fairly well, based on our expectations coming in, but we continue to insist that persons come in and join the line to make payments, or they can make payments online to reduce waiting time,” she said.
The Government’s traffic ticket amnesty took effect on August 2 and ends on October 31, 2017.
TAJ offices have adjusted their scheduled opening, adding Saturdays to the list of days for sites at Constant Spring, Montego Bay, Mandeville, Savanna-la-Mar, Spanish Town, May Pen, St Ann’s Bay, and Portmore to facilitate transactions under the amnesty.
In addition, TAJ has added three more offices which will be open to the public on the final few Saturdays up until October 31.
These include their Port Maria, Santa Cruz, and King Street offices.
“TAJ is encouraging motorists to pay ahead of the rush expected on tax offices during the final days of the amnesty period and particularly on the final day as it coincides with the GCT monthly filing deadline,” Haughton said.
Taxpayers are reminded that they must have either the ticket number or the traffic
ticket itself to facilitate easy payment, whether online or at a tax office.
Persons seeking support to make queries about any outstanding tickets are directed to contact the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s call centre at 948-0411 Mondays to Thursdays (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.), Friday (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.), and Saturdays (10 a.m. - 4 p.m).