Following the prosecution of 11 used-car dealer companies, which were found to have falsely filed zero income tax returns, Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is re-emphasising the importance of honest and accurate income tax reporting.

According to the TAJ, the companies were charged after investigations revealed that, despite importing and selling hundreds of motor vehicles between 2020 and 2023, they reported no income in their company income tax returns.

The matters were heard in parish courts in Kingston and St. Andrew, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Catherine, and St. Mary.

All companies pleaded guilty, resulting in fines totalling over $12 million.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, TAJ’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Meris Haughton, warned that submitting false claims is a serious violation.

She added that the TAJ’s compliance systems will eventually find the truth, so taxpayers should be honest from the start.

TAJ is encouraging taxpayers who may have made errors or omissions in previous filings to take immediate steps to correct them and to seek guidance through its customer service channels to ensure full compliance with the law.