It's Tax Day and hundreds of business persons are expected to visit tax offices across the island to file their income tax returns by the end of the business day. Companies, self-employed persons, partnerships, organisations and employed persons with other sources of income were given until March 17 to file their Annual Income Tax Return for 2007 and their Declaration of Estimated Income & Tax Payable for 2008, as this year the customary March 15 due date fell on the weekend.

The tax offices have promised to put extra personnel in the service areas to accommodate the large number of persons expected to file their returns today, and to help manage the flow and movement of the lines and to direct taxpayers to the correct areas. At the Cross Roads tax office in Kingston, a tent and chairs have been set up on the outside and a numbering system introduced to manage the crowd.

Crowd management measures

At the Constant Spring tax office in St Andrew, other crowd management measures have been implemented, where persons filing a "nil" return will be directed downstairs, instead of using the busy "banking hall" area.

Additionally, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) will remain open one hour later at the usually busy tax offices in Kingston; Constant Spring; Cross Roads; Montego Bay; Mandeville; Savanna-la-Mar; Morant Bay; St. Ann's Bay; Brown's Town; Falmouth and Lucea. All other offices will close at their usual time.

The public is being urged to make use of the extended service hour as failure to meet today's March 17 deadline may result in estimated assessments being raised or court action being taken by the Inland Revenue Department.

For further information call 1-888-Tax-Help (1-888-829-4357) of visit the website www.jamaicatax.gov.jm