Who is an Employer?
An employer refers to anyone who hires a person required to make contributions under the National Housing Trust Act, not including voluntary contributors.
What are the requirements?
The new registration process will be as follows:
01
Register
Visit the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) to register company with all relevant statutory organizations.
02
TRN and NIS
Upon registration with COJ, the new business' data will be routed electronically to TAJ and NIS, to create a TRN number and NIS.
03
NHT Account
This information will then be submitted electronically to the NHT and an account created. All this would be done automatically.
04
Finalize
Contact with the customer will be made by the NHT to carry out the necessary follow ups.
How are payments made?
Employers must make monthly contribution payments to the NHT at Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) offices or via TAJ online portal.
Employers pay 5% of employees’ gross salary, 2% for employees and 3% for employers.
All payments require a completed SO1 form and are due by the 14th of the following month.
Overpayments will be applied to future contributions in the same year.
How are Annual Returns submitted?
The Annual Return (SO2) is filed online via the TAJ portal by March 31 of the following year. The Annual Return (S02) reports statutory contributions from both employers and employees and should not be confused with Contribution Refunds.
What are the benefits of contributing?
There are several benefits that employers can reap by being compliant with the NHT. These include:
- Qualifies for tax exemption.
- Annual bonus for contributions paid between 1976 and 1979.
- Obtain a clearance letter or tax compliance certificate.
What are the penalties for not contributing?
Failure to make contribution payments will result in:
- 20% penalty charge per annum for late submissions of payment.
- 10% surcharge for delinquent payments on the penalty plus any arrears.
- Being fined for withholding information related to contributions or annual returns.
- The employer being held liable in a court of law.
Clearance Letter/ Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
To obtain a Clearance Letter companies should visit one of our locations and speak with a Compliance Officer.
New employers will need to submit the following:
- Completed Employer Customer Information File (CIF) Form for registration
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Articles of Incorporation
- NIS reference Letter from the NIS Office.
- TRN Slip
Returning employers will need to submit the following:
- Outstanding Annual Return (if any) and pay any associated outstanding contributions.
EmployeR
Contributions FAQs
If you don't see an answer to your question, you can send us an email.
