Revenue Appeals Division Saves Taxpayers Billions of Dollars Over 5 Year Period

The Revenue Appeals Division (RAD), a division of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has saved approximately 2.8 billion dollars from tax appeals cases between fiscal years 2015-2020. This estimate was revealed in the RAD report shared at the virtual premiere of the Revenue Appeals Division Documentary, celebrating its 5th anniversary held on Wednesday, June 16, 2021.

The RAD, established in August 2015, is mandated to resolve disputes between taxpayers and revenue commissioners, as recognised by the Revenue Administration (RA) Act (i.e., Commissioner General-Tax Administration Jamaica, Commissioner-Jamaica Customs Agency and Commissioner-National Land Agency).

While giving her remarks during the premiere, Commissioner of the Revenue Appeals Division, Dr Deloree Staple-Chambers, highlighted that the reduced backlog of cases contributed to the tax savings.  

“In 2015, we managed 814 cases, of which we closed 746 leaving with a closing inventory of 68 cases at the end of  fiscal year 2019-20, which saved taxpayers billions of dollars in taxes”.

She also stated that this outcome was achieved as part of the transformation initiative in 2017. “With the aid of the modernised legislation, the RAD reengineered and computerised (to some extent) its business processes by 2017; a combination of strategies was implementation over the last three years to eliminate the backlog and transform the accountability framework of the division”. 

Persons may file their appeals to the email appeals@rad.gov.jm or call 943-4993-4