The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) will be extending its opening hours, at 11 collectorates between March 14 and 15, to facilitate the anticipated increase in the number of persons filing their income tax returns for 2006.

Speaking with JIS News, director of public relations at the Tax Administration Services Depart-ment (TASD), Meris Haughton, said the King Street, Cross Roads, Constant Spring, Mandeville, Savanna-la-Mar, Montego Bay, Morant Bay, Brown's Town, St. Ann's Bay, Falmouth and Lucea branches of the IRD would be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Ms. Haughton said that the decision to extend opening period by an hour, was based on the increase in the volume of clients during this period each year.

She said persons should "take advantage of the extended opening hours and submit their income tax returns by the March 15 deadline to avoid [facing] sanctions for late filing," adding that those who did not comply run the risk of court action.

She further advised that persons filing their returns must ensure that they used the correct forms. "Self-employed persons should use the Form IT01; companies - Form IT02; partnerships and other unincorporated bodies should use Form IT03; and life insurance companies - Form IT04," she noted.

In addition to filing income tax returns, taxpayers must also file a Declaration of Estimated Income and Tax Payable for 2007 using Form IT07.

Income tax return forms may be obtained at any of the 28 collectorates islandwide or online at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm. These are to be accurately completed and submitted to any collectorate and cheques made payable to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue or the Collector of Taxes.

Electronic drop box

Ms. Haughton also advised that persons, who are paying their returns with a cheque, do not have to join the line at several of the collectorates. "A number of our collectorates are fitted with an electronic drop box, therefore persons may drop off their cheques without having to go to the cashier," she explained.

Since January, the IRD, in collaboration with the TASD and Taxpayer Audit and Assessment Department (TAAD), has set up a number of temporary taxpayer service sites islandwide under the Special Taxpayer Programme to assist self-employed individuals and small business operators to complete and file their income tax returns in time for the March 15 income tax deadline.