THE MONTEGO Bay Tax Collectorate is reporting that it collected $1.6 billion in revenues as at the end of December 2001.
The money collected represented 86 per cent of the collectorate's targeted revenues for last year, acting Principal Collector of Taxes for Montego Bay, Mark Todd, said recently. "By March 31, we are confident that we will realise the target set," he said.
He explained that the revenues came from the collection of income, education and property taxes, the General Consumption Tax (GCT) and betting, gaming and lotteries and trade licences. He said that collections were ahead of target for education and property taxes and GCT and close to the target in the other areas.
Mr. Todd noted that there has been an improvement in the tax compliance rate and credited this to better surroundings at the centre's new offices located off Howard Cooke Boulevard, which has attracted customers outside of the parish.
Noting that there has also been significant improvements in the level of service customers receive at the centre, he said that an ongoing training programme has been put in place for the staff at the revenue centre, adding that it has led them to be highly motivated.
He made an appeal for all taxpayers to file their returns now, as they were due.
