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Compliance Officer Plays Crucial Role in Jamaica’s Tax Administration

A key player in ensuring that taxes are collected efficiently and effectively, the Compliance Officer is a vital member of the Operations Division at Tax Administration Jamaica. Reporting directly to the Manager, Compliance, this officer is responsible for executing and maintaining the collection of outstanding revenue from assigned medium-priority cases.

Key Responsibilities

The Compliance Officer’s duties include:

  • Processing and monitoring tax accounts for medium-priority cases
  • Issuing reminders and making phone calls to non-compliant taxpayers
  • Conducting field visits and interviews with taxpayers to collect taxes due
  • Negotiating payment arrangements
  • Reviewing financial information from taxpayers and third parties to determine the best course of action for debt resolution

The officer must also:

  • Reconcile accounts based on payments made
  • Verify assets, liabilities, sources of income and expenses reported by taxpayers
  • Secure full payment or arrange for installment agreements
  • Recommend enforcement actions when necessary
  • Persuade and influence taxpayers to resolve existing delinquencies
  • Compile asset information to assist in the collection of outstanding taxes

Performance Standards

To perform their job satisfactorily, Compliance Officers must:

  • Collect revenues on a timely basis and account for them in accordance with the Financial Administration and Audit Act
  • Constantly monitor and accurately reconcile taxpayer accounts
  • Prepare relevant documentary evidence for court cases
  • Implement delinquent returns and payment enforcement programs
  • Manage payment arrangements

Required Competencies

To excel in this role, Compliance Officers require:

  • Excellent knowledge of tax laws, regulations, and guidelines
  • The Financial Administration and Audit Act
  • Excellent analytical skills, judgment, communication, and team-building skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

Contact and Collaboration

Compliance Officers interact with various sections within Tax Administration Jamaica, including the Legal Support Division, to seek legal advice and interpretation of tax laws. They also collaborate with:

  • Taxpayers
  • Ministries
  • Departments
  • Agencies
  • The National Land Agency on tax-related issues

Working Conditions

The Compliance Officer role comes with high levels of risk in dealing with hostile taxpayers, irregular working hours, critical deadlines, exposure to dust and dirt, and travel (50-60%).