The GCT and SCT are critically important revenue sources in Jamaica, accounting for 37.4 percent of total revenues in fiscal year 2003/04 (27.7 percent for GCT alone) and an estimated 11.2 percent of GDP (8.3 percent for GCT alone). In this paper we set out in some detail the present structure...

This Working Paper on the property tax contains an Executive Summary and four chapters. In Chapter One we describe how the Jamaican property tax functions. In Chapter Two we present an analysis of various problems and issues that surround of the property tax. Chapter Three, which was co-authored...

The stamp duty and property transfer tax in Jamaica yielded less than J$4 billion in revenues in 2003. As a percent of GDP, and as a percent of total taxes raised, there has been a long term decline in revenue from these two sources. However, even though these taxes do not dominate the revenue...

In this paper we discuss some recent critical literature on VAT in developing countries relating to its revenue productivity, its equity, and its impact on the development of the formal economy. Illustrating our argument with reference to two recent country studies (of Ukraine and Jamaica) we...

Jamaica’s individual income tax is an important revenue source for the Government. In 2003-04, the PAYE portion of the tax generated $27 billion, about 22 percent of Government tax revenue and equivalent to about 6.5 percent of GDP. The self-employed pay less than $2 billion in income tax, or...

This staff paper analyzes this “system” of payroll taxes and contributions, focusing mainly on the tax and contribution side rather than on the benefit aspects of the contribution programs. The administration of each of these payroll programs is discussed, and the effects of the entire...

The Government of Jamaica imposes a wide range of taxes on income, consumption, and property. An important consideration in any reform of these taxes is their impact of the distribution of income, or their tax burden. This staff paper presents background and analysis of the burden of the...

Over the past decade, a number of countries have shifted to single rate tax systems with broader bases and lower rates. In the U.S. , there continues to be discussion of the merits of a consumption tax, and of base-broadening reforms to the income tax system. The objective of this paper is to...

The Corporate Income Tax (CIT) in Jamaica is an important source of revenue. In 2002, the share of CIT in total tax revenue was approximately 6.9 percent, having fallen from 12.7 percent in 1993. Although OECD countries generally collect about 10 percent of tax revenue from corporate taxes, the...

This report is concerned with issues of the efficiency and revenue aspects of the current Jamaican taxes on trade, including tariffs, other charges, customs valuation questions, and incentives. It also considers revenue implications of further Jamaican tariff liberalization through the World...