Kingston, Jamaica — 18 March 2026
A proposal to tighten Jamaica’s tax system through a fully integrated digital compliance network is being positioned as a potential alternative to new tax measures, with implications that could extend beyond public finance into housing, construction, and the wider development landscape.
The Opposition, during its contribution to the 2026–2027 Budget Debate, outlined a plan to reduce tax leakages by linking key government data systems — including consumption tax, customs, payroll, and building approvals — arguing that improved compliance could generate tens of billions in additional revenue without increasing tax rates. The proposal comes as the Government advances an $18-billion tax package amid ongoing economic pressures.
A System Problem, Not a Rate Problem
At the centre of the proposal is a structural argument: that Jamaica’s tax system loses significant revenue not because rates are too low, but because systems operate in isolation.
The suggested refor…
