Over two hundred (200) St. James residents took advantage of a four-day Mobile Property Tax promotion that commenced on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at the Cool Oasis gas station in the Mount Salem community.
The promotional Property Tax Outstations were supported by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development’s Mobile Property Tax Unit, and ran from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily.
Service with a Smile: Property Tax Compliance Officer, Miguel Moulton (seated, left), interacts with a resident who visited the Mobile Property Tax outstation at the Grab N Go Texaco gas station, Fairview Montego Bay.
The property tax promotional sessions are intended to provide residents with hassle-free access to the Mobile Property Tax Unit. The team also visited the Barnett Street Texaco Gas Station on June 21, the Fairview Grab N Go Texaco along Alice Eldemire Drive, on June 22; and finally, the Meadows of Irwin community on Saturday, June 23, 2018.
According to Regional Manager of Property Tax Compliance, Wendye Peterkin, residents across the parish are quite receptive of the concept of the Mobile Unit as it provides them an opportunity to make payments closer to home.
“In addition to making queries and payments towards property taxes, members of the public are quite appreciative of the outstations as they also have an opportunity to speak with representatives of the National Land Agency and Geoland, who provide information and guidance to members of the public regarding property ownership and land titles,” said Peterkin.
The parish of St. James accounts for almost 56,000 parcels of land that are on the property tax register. Homeowners, occupants and tenants are liable for the payment of property tax. Penalties and interest are applied to outstanding sums and delinquents can be taken to court and properties may be seized for non-compliance.