JFF seeks tax waiver
Body faces $100-million pile-up in interest, penalties
Published:Thursday | August 31, 2023 | 12:12 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
JAMAICA FOOTBALL Federation (JFF) general secretary Dennis Chung insists that the more than $100 million owed to Tax Administration of Jamaica (TAJ) is not for taxes, but accumulated penalties and interests for not being compliant.
He explained that the backlog for penalties and interests started even before the current JFF administration took office.
However, Chung was quick to point out that the federation is in receipt of a Tax Compliance Certificate from TAJ and that they are current with all obligations.
He also revealed that they have applied for a waiver, which will be decided on in September.
“That information was a little inaccurate because we have a Tax Compliance Certificate, which means we are up-to-date with our tax obligations.
“The money that they are talking about is penalties and interests, which was from even before I was there as gen sec and before the current administration,” he explained
“But we have applied to the TAJ to waive the penalties and interests because they know the JFF is in a financial situation.
“We have paid all the penalties, and we are current with all our tax payments. So the information out there was misleading as it is being interpreted that we owed tax.”
He revealed that TAJ has responded to their request and promised that they would consider their case next month as there are many other applications ahead of them.
“They are saying that there are a whole lot of people who have made applications, and they will consider our case in September. We are hoping everything works out, and hopefully, by September, October we will get a positive response.”
He added that based on their current level of compliance with their tax obligations, he was optimistic about receiving a favourable response from the TAJ
“They (TAJ) have been working with us, so hopefully, we get the write-off because we definitely need it.
“We cannot afford that penalty and interest, but we are currently paying all our tax obligations and doing the proper filing,” he said.