The Turks and Caicos Islands Government continues to build capacity in its Revenue Department through targeted training and capacity building programs aimed at optimizing the delivery of the department’s programs.
During the period February 29th to March 4th, 2016, a total of 8 officers from the TCI Revenue Department were able to benefit from an attachment to the Tax Administration Jamaica. This included the; Assistant Commissioner of Revenue (Legal) - Ms. Nasiya Misick; 4 Senior Tax Officers - Mr. Tito Cox, Mrs. Cecille Francis, Mr. Audric Rigby and Ms. Keisha Handfield along with 3 Tax Officers – Ms. Aisha Thomas, Mr. Darren Williams and Ms. Renarda Williams.
The primary purpose of the attachment was to afford the officers of the Revenue Department an opportunity for greater exposure through gaining an understanding another jurisdictions operations for one week and to develop an understanding of the best practices and approaches utilized in the various functions of tax administration on that island.
Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) has implemented several successful reform initiatives over the past decade which has made them a model tax administration in the region and an ideal host for this type of attachment. The attachment commenced with an initial opening session at the Jamaica Programmes Branch. On day 2, the staff proceeded to the Constant Springs Revenue Services Center where they observed and participated in the activities undertaken in the Compliance, Collections and Tax Services Units and on day 3, they were able to go on audits with the audit team in that division. On day 4 the staff visited the Linstead Tax Office which is one of the smaller offices to review the difference in the processes between the two offices before the final close out session on Friday March 4th, 2016.
It is expected that the application of knowledge gained from the attachment will enhance the department’s operational efficiency and outputs going forward, thus resulting in improved tax administration, service delivery and revenue collection in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“As we continue in our quest to improve efficiency and service delivery across government we were happy to fund and support this program through our newly created Staff Professional Development Fund. These types of programs create great exposure and an opportunity for the cross sharing of knowledge to bring innovation and change to core units across government”, said Deputy Governor and head of the public service H.E. Anya Williams.
“We are grateful to the Government of Jamaica most especially Tax Administration Jamaica for their support and assistance in this program and look forward to future opportunities to partner with them as well.”
The Permanent Secretary of Finance also expressed her gratitude by stating; “The Turks and Caicos Islands Revenue Department has undergone significant changes in the last 4 years, which has seen a strengthening in the department’s manpower capacity from 6 to 23 members of staff and has resulted in great efficiencies in tax administration and compliance here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“This attachment was of great importance to the ministry and department and we look forward to next batch of attachments where an additional 8 officers will engage in a similar program on the island of St. Kitts and Nevis in mid-April, all aimed at improving service delivery and innovation within the Revenue Department and the Ministry of Finance at large.”
Note:
The primary functions of the Revenue Department are as follows:
1) Administration of several revenue streams including the following:
a. Hotel and Tourism Tax
b. Domestic Financial Services Sales Tax
c. Insurance Premium Sales Tax
d. Vehicle Hire Stamp Duty
e. Seaport Departure Tax
f. Business Licence
2) Oversight responsibility for other revenue generating/collecting departments.
The Department is divided into the following functions:
1) Audit and Investigation
2) Collection, Filing and Enforcement
3) Assessing and Registry
4) Public Relations, Taxpayer Services, Enquiries and Tax Roll
5) Business Licencing