Falmouth TAJ building up and running

Western Bureau:

The new state-of-the-art J$157m Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) building in Falmouth, Trelawny, opened its doors for official business yesterday, ending a spate of missed opening dates, dating back almost two years.

"Our new office will increase in, a significant way, the way we serve our clients," said Meris Haughton, communications manager at TAJ. "Today our new automated queue management system is being rolled out. The Falmouth office is the first of our 29 locations in Jamaica to have this system."

Haughton noted that the 4,000-square foot, two-storey building will be offering a suite of e-services, which should significantly improve the quality of service to customers.

"We will be pushing this aspect so clients can stay at their offices and homes to conduct business with us. These include certificates of fitness, applications for Tax Compliance Certificates, taxpayer registration numbers, and in other tax matters," said Haughton.

The building, which was constructed in accordance with the town's Georgian architecture, falls within the heritage requirements for Falmouth. It also has its own sewerage system.

FIRST CUSTOMER

Hussein Anthony Reid, the first customer to show up at the new location, was very impressed with the service.

"I came to license my car and pay for a certificate for a police record and was in and out in a jiffy," said Reid, who received a present for being the first client to be served.

Despite having the new building in Falmouth, Haughton said taxpayers will still have the services of the mobile collection unit, which operates in several communities.

"The mobile collection unit, which works in a joint arrangement with the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, will be continued. This is especially for trade licences and property taxes," said Haughton.