Manchester residents urged to utilise property tax mobile unit visits
MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Owners and occupiers of premises in Manchester are being urged to take advantage of the two days that the property tax mobile unit will be in the parish this week, to settle outstanding payments.
The deadline to pay property tax for the 2018-2019 financial year is March 31.
The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development and the Tax Administration of Jamaica mobile unit will be at the James Warehouse Complex in Mandeville today and tomorrow between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Kyana Morgan, regional property tax coordinator based at the Manchester Municipal Corporation Property Tax Unit, said that payments can also be made at the tax office in the parish or online.
In addition to cash and cheques, debit and credit cards will be accepted at the mobile unit.
Morgan said that for convenience, queries can be made at the office for the Property Tax Unit at James Warehouse Complex, but payments cannot be made there.
She was part of a team at a Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Open Day at Brooks Park in Mandeville last Friday, providing updates to individuals on their outstanding balances, steps to address the situation, as well as sensitisation on the importance of property tax.
Residents were reminded that property tax pays for expansion and maintenance of streetlights, collection and disposal of garbage, rehabilitation of parochial roads, and for beautification of communities.
Morgan told the Jamaica Observer that failure to comply can result in interest being accrued, seizure of property, the matter being brought before the court, and individuals even serving time behind bars.
“What we have seen happening in courts across the island, orders are made for payment within a specific time, failing that, at the judge’s discretion, persons are liable to spend up to 10 days at the closest lockup,” she said.
She noted that if landlords are delinquent, tenants occupying the properties can be asked to pay, and if they refuse they can also be brought before the court.
Morgan said there has been an increase in people making payments in the parish, but said there is still need for improvement.
She is encouraging individuals not to wait until close to the deadline before they take action.
“Don’t wait until if you get a final notice. Try and be informed and stay up to date,” said Morgan, adding that property tax becomes due on April 1 of each year.