General Consumption Tax - TAJ Portal (2024)

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INTRODUCTION

How the GCT Works
GCT In Operation

REGISTRATION

Who Is Required To Register?
Who Is A Person?
What Is A Taxable Activity?
Exemption from Registration
The Threshold
Who Is A Registered Taxpayer?
Who Is A Registered Person?
Voluntary Registration
Benefits of Being a Registered Taxpayer

Registration Procedures

Applying For Registration
Instructions for Completing Application Form (GCT‑ 1)

Post-Registration Procedures

What Happens Next?
Certificate of Registration for the Registered Taxpayer
Obligations of a Registered Taxpayer

Cancellation of Registration

Notification of Change

CHARGING GCT

Taxable Supply
Place of Supply
Time of Supply
Value of Supply on Which GCT Is To Be Calculated
Rates of GCT to be Applied to Each Supply
History of the Standard Rate
GCT on Imported Goods and Supply

KEEPING RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS

Legal Requirements
Records and Books to be Kept
Retention of Records
Goods Given Away, Taken For Personal Use or Diverted To An Exempt Activity
Exports
GCT Account
Example of a GCT Account
Contents of Records
Credit or Debit Notes
What is a Tax Invoice?
Example of a Tax Invoice

Record of Sales and Purchases

How Are Sales Recorded?
How Do I Record My Purchases And Expenses?
Input Tax
Input Tax Credit
Input Tax Credit on Motor Vehicles

Accounting Bases

Invoice/Accrual Basis

Payments/Cash Basis

Zero‑Rated Supplies

Supplies of Exempt Goods and Services

Mixed Sales

GCT RETURNS

Basic Information
When to File Your Return
How to Complete Your GCT Return
Important

Standard Return, Normal Accounting Method

GCT Return Form 4A
Output Tax
Input Tax
GCT Payable/Creditable
Declaration

ASSESSMENTS, OBJECTIONS, APPEALS, PENALTIES

Assessment on Registered Taxpayers
Assessments
Amendment of a Return
Notices of Assessment
Time Limit for Assessments
Objections
Appeals
Penalties
Registration
Penalty, Surcharge and Interest

Appendix I

Zero-rated Items

Appendix II

Goods Subject to Special Consumption Tax (SCT)

Appendix III

Goods and Services Exempt from GCT

Appendix IV

GCT Application for Registration Form

Notice of Registration

Certificate of Registration

GCT Return Form 4A

INTRODUCTION

The General Consumption Tax (GCT), which commenced on October 22, 1991, simplified and modernised the Jamaican indirect tax system.

The GCT replaced the following eight (8) taxes:

1. Excise Duty
2. CARICOM Duty
3. Retail Sales Tax
4. Telephone Service Tax
5. Entertainment Duty
6. Hotel Accommodation Tax
7. Consumption Duty (other than on alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and petroleum products which is covered under the Special Consumption Tax)
8. Additional Stamp Duty levied on the importation of goods (except for in-bond shops, 'Protected" goods, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and petroleum products).

The GCT is a value added tax which is applied on the value added to goods and services at each stage in the production and distribution chain. It is a tax on consumption and is included in the final price the consumer pays for goods and services.

The General Consumption Tax Act requires most businesses in Jamaica to:

• Register with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ)
• Charge and collect tax at 16.5% on all the standard-rated goods and services they supply
• Calculate for each taxable period net tax due/creditable and file GCT returns
• Remit the net GCT collected to the Collector of Taxes (Tax Administration Jamaica) within 30 days or, in some cases 15 days following the end of each taxable period, or in other cases, at the direction of the Commissioner General.

How the GCT Works

The GCT is a tax based on consumption and is applied to each transaction through the production and marketing process.

Businesses which carry on an activity that is not exempt from GCT are required to file an application for registration. Those persons whose total annual sales of goods and services that arelessthan $3M for a twelve-month period will be registered as Registered Persons.

As such the business will be exempt. That is, it will not collect GCT but will pay GCT on purchases of taxable goods and services and not be eligible for credit.

Businesses whose total annual sales of goods and services are $3M and over for a twelve-month period are required to register as Registered Taxpayers, and will collect and remit GCT. Registered Taxpayers who supply taxable goods or services will pay GCT on their purchases and charge GCT on their sales. If the GCT charged is more than the GCT paid, the difference is to be paid to the Collector of Taxes (TAJ); If it is less, the Registered Taxpayer may claim a credit/refund.

See diagram on:How GCT works.

Registered Taxpayers are able to claim an Input Tax Credit for the GCT paid on business purchases (related to providing taxable goods and services). The Input Tax Credit can be claimed for the materials and services purchased for further manufacture or for resale (including imports), purchases of capital property and any goods or services, such as office supplies, which are requirements to operate the business subject to tax.

In completing the GCT return, the registered taxpayer will be able to deduct his Input Tax Credit from GCT charged on sales. In this way, the Input Tax Credit removes the GCT from the goods or services until they are finally purchased by the consumer.

GCT In Operation

Under the GCT Act, most goods and services are taxed at sixteen and one-half percent (16.5%) except for telephone services, telephone instrument and telephone cards which are taxed at twenty five percent (25%); and tourism services which are taxed at ten percent (10%). Some, however, are taxed at zero percent (zero‑rated) and some are GCT‑exempt. This means that Registered Taxpayers charge GCT at 16.5%, or other positive rates on those items which attract the tax. Where goods and services are zero‑rated, Registered Taxpayers do not charge GCT on sales of these goods/services. They are, however, able to claim an Input Tax Credit for any GCT paid on business purchases which are made in order to manufacture or provide these zero‑rated goods/services. (Zero‑rated supplies are listed in the First Schedule of the General Consumption Tax Act. (Appendix I)

Where goods and services are GCT-exempt, no GCT is charged on these items. However, unlike zero‑rated goods, Registered Taxpayers are not able to claim an Input Tax Credit on the purchases used to provide exempt goods and services. Exempt supplies are listed in the Third Schedule of the General Consumption Tax Act (Appendix III)

The taxable period for reporting the tax is one month. At the time of registration, taxpayers will be given a reporting schedule to follow for filing GCT returns.

REGISTRATION FOR GCT PURPOSES

Who Is Required To Register?

All persons engaged in a taxable activity are required to apply for registration under the GCT Act.

Who Is A Person?

For purposes of GCT, "Person" means:-

• An individual
• A Company
• A Partnership (which is defined to include an unincorporated body, a joint venture, a trustee or a trust).

What Is A Taxable Activity?

A taxable activity is any activity carried on in the form of a business, trade, profession, vocation, association or club, which is carried on continuously or regularly by any person whether or not for a pecuniary profit, and involves, or is intended to involve, the sale/supply of goods and services in Jamaica, to any other person for a consideration.

NOTE: For GCT purposes it is not the business activity which is registered, but the person who conducts it. The registration covers all the business activities of that person.

If the person conducting the business activity is an organisation (i.e., not an individual), it is the organisation which must apply for registration.

The individual members are not required to register.

The registration of a partnership is in the name of the partnership.

Exemption from Registration

Anyone engaged TOTALLY in the following will NOT have to register for GCT:--

1. any activity carried on essentially as a private recreational pursuit or hobby;
2. any engagement, occupation or employment under any contract of service or as a director of a company;
3. any good or service which is exempt from the GCT (Third Schedule of the General Consumption Tax Act).

The Threshold

The Threshold is set at gross value of supplies of three million dollars ($3,000,000.00). The Threshold amount is the consideration paid or payable on all supplies made. Where a person is engaged in both taxable and exempt activities, the amount received from exempt supplies must be included when computing the gross value of supplies.

Who Is A Registered Taxpayer?

A person, whose gross value of supplies in the month of application and the eleven months immediately preceding the making of an application is not less than $3M or whose average monthly value of supplies in respect of a period less than 12 months is not less than $250,000.00, will be registered as a Registered Taxpayer.

Who Is A Registered Person?

A person, whose gross value of supplies in the month of application and the eleven months immediately preceding the making of the application is less than $3M or whose average monthly value of supplies in respect of a period of less than 12 months is less than $250,000.00, will be registered as a Registered Person.

Voluntary Registration

A person who has applied for registration and qualifies for registration as a Registered Person may voluntarily apply to be registered as a Registered Taxpayer. If the application is approved by the Commissioner General all provisions of the Act and Regulations relating to Registered Taxpayers will apply to that person.

Benefits of Being a Registered Taxpayer

When a person becomes a Registered Taxpayer, he will enjoy the following benefits under the GCT Act:

• Input Tax Credit - He will be able to claim a credit for GCT paid on his business purchases (input tax), whenever he supplies taxable goods.
• GCT Credits for Customers - Only a Registered Taxpayer can issue tax invoices to customers who are Registered Taxpayers so that these customers will be able to claim an input tax credit for purchases made.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

Applying For Registration

To apply for registration, a person must complete a GCT Application Form, Registration form - GCT‑ 1 (see Appendix IV). The form may be obtained online or from a TAJ Tax Office/Collectorate or Revenue Service Centre. To be able to register for GCT, a person must have a valid Business Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN). Where an applicant does not have a valid TRN, he must apply for same at the Taxpayer Registration Centre (TRC) or Tax Office/ Revenue Service Centre (RSC). The application form for the TRN may be obtained online or from any TAJ Tax office or the TRC.

Any person starting a taxable activity after the 22nd October 1991 has twenty‑one (21) days after starting this taxable activity to make an application to register.

Failure to apply for registration makes you liable to a penalty equal to:

1. Two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each complete month of the period of non‑registration in the case of a person liable to be registered as a Registered Person; OR
2. Five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) in the case of person liable to be register as a registered taxpayer and the person is an individual and in the case of a company, ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00). In addition interest of two and one-half percent (2 ½%) per month of the tax liability for the period unregistered.

Instructions for Completing Application Form (GCT‑ 1)

Instructions for completing the application form are provided at the back of the form. A sample application form is included in Appendix IV.

POST-REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

What Happens Next?

Where the Commissioner General is satisfied with the details on the application for registration (GCT‑1) he will register the person and issue a Notice of Registration in respect of a person operating below the Threshold. In respect of a person operating above the Threshold, he will issue a Certificate of Registration. A person operating below the Threshold will receive a Notice of Registration and is not permitted to collect General Consumption Tax when he supplies goods or services.

Certificate of Registration for the Registered Taxpayer

The Certificate of Registration issued to Registered Taxpayers (see Appendix IV) shows the GCT Registration Number and the effective date of registration.

A Certificate of Registration or an official copy of the certificate must be prominently displayed in each business outlet. If a person operates his business from two or more locations, he must inform TAJ of this at the time of application for registration and he will be issued with the required number of official copies of certificates.

These certificates must not be photocopied.

If a Registered Taxpayer does not display the certificate or official copies of the certificate, or if any person displays a Certificate of Registration not issued by the Department, an offence is committed under the GCT Act.

Obligations of a Registered Taxpayer

A Registered Taxpayer has certain obligations to fulfill.

These include:

• Issuing tax invoices as required under the GCT Act and Regulations;
• Collecting the appropriate tax in respect of the goods and services which he supplies;
• Keeping proper books and records and producing them, if required by an authorized person;
• Making regular returns on the prescribed form whether or not he makes a taxable supply during the tax period;

• • Paying the amount of tax payable in respect of the taxable period to which the return relates;
  • Advising the Commissioner General TAJ in writing of a request to cancel registration, or of a change of status, or ownership of the business or business address; and
  • Upon ceasing a taxable operation, filing a final return for the last taxable period.

Note: All liabilities and obligations incurred while being a Registered Taxpayer are not affected by ceasing to be registered.

CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION

The Commissioner General may cancel the registration of a Registered Person if he is satisfied that the person no longer carries on a taxable activity. He may also cancel the registration of a Registered Taxpayer if he is satisfied that the Registered Taxpayer no longer qualifies for registration as such.

Before cancellation, the Commissioner General will notify the Registered Person or Registered Taxpayer of his intention, stating the reason.

Any person notified of a proposed cancellation may object. This objection must be made within thirty days of the date of service of the notice and must be in writing, stating precisely the grounds of the objection.

If the Commissioner General, after consideration of an objection decides to cancel a registration, he must inform the person in writing of the decision and of the right of appeal. Where the person is a Registered Taxpayer, he must return the Certificate of Registration to the Commissioner when notified of the decision.

Failure to return to the Commissioner General of Tax Administration the Certificate of Registration is an offence against the Act.

NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE

Every person who is registered is required to inform the Commissioner General in writing within twenty‑one days‑

1. of any change in business address, or any change in the name in which the business is carried on;
2. of the sale by him of his business or part thereof, stating the date on which ownership is transferred and the name and address of the new owner or part‑owner.

A person who acquires a taxable activity or part thereof from a Registered Taxpayer is required to inform the Commissioner General in writing within twenty‑one days of the date of acquisition.

CHARGING GCT

A Registered Taxpayer is liable to account for GCT on taxable supplies he makes within Jamaica on goods and services. Therefore, to ensure that GCT is correctly charged, the Registered Taxpayer must be aware of the following:

1. what is a taxable supply:
2. the place of supply:
3. the time a supply is considered to take place;
4. the value of a supply on which GCT is to be calculated;
5. the rate of GCT to be applied on each supply; and
6. GCT on imported goods and supply

TAXABLE SUPPLY

A taxable supply is a supply of goods and services made in the course of or furtherance of any business that is not exempt from GCT by law.

PLACE OF SUPPLY

The place of supply is important as only supplies made or deemed to be made in Jamaica are chargeable on tax. Exports are subject to tax at a rate of zero‑percent.

A supply of goods or services is considered to be made in Jamaica-

1. if the supplier is resident in Jamaica; or
2. if the supplier is not resident in Jamaica
   1. I.in the case of goods; the goods are in Jamaica at the time of supply; or
   2. II.in the case of services, the services are performed or utilized in Jamaica.

The circ*mstances in which goods or services exported are zero-rated are as follows:

1. goods which have been entered by the supplier for export pursuant to the Customs Act and which have been exported and in respect of which a customs certificate of exportation has been issued;
2. services which are supplied to a person who is not resident in Jamaica and the benefit of the supply of which is not realized in Jamaica.

TIME OF SUPPLY

Except as otherwise provided in the GCT Act or Regulations made under the Act, a taxable supply takes place when:

1. an invoice for the supply is issued by the supplier; or
2. payment is made for the supply; or
3. the goods are made available or the services are rendered, the case may be, to the recipient, whichever first occurs.

When goods are supplied:-

1. under an agreement for hire purchase; or
2. under an agreement whereby the recipient has an option to return the goods to the supplier the supply takes place when the goods are made available to the recipient .

Special rules exist where:-

1. the goods or services are supplied progressively or periodically under an agreement. In these cases the time of supply is the earliest of
   1. an invoice is given
   2. payment is made
   3. payment becomes due
2. a contract provides for the retention by the recipient of part of the purchase price pending satisfactory completion of the contract or part thereof. In this case the tax become payable when payment become due or is made, whichever is earlier.
3. a Registered Taxpayer, by means of a machine meter or device operated by a coin or token, makes a taxable supply for a consideration in money. The tax becomes payable when the coin or token is removed from the machine, meter or device.
4. a taxable supply is made by an insurer pursuant to a contract of insurance other than a policy of life insurance, health insurance or re-insurance. The tax becomes payable when payment is made to a broker or insurer for that supply.

VALUE OF SUPPLY ON WHICH GCT IS TO BE CALCULATED

The value of a taxable supply other than an imported taxable supply shall be determined in the following manner:-

1. if the consideration for the supply consists wholly of money, the value shall be consideration (excluding General consumption Tax); or
2. if the supply is for consideration partly consisting of money, then the value of the supply shall be deemed to be open market value; or
3. if the supply is not the only matter to which the total consideration applies, the value of the supply shall be taken as that part of the consideration applicable to the supply; or
4. if there is not consideration for the supply, the value of the supply shall be the cost incurred by the Registered Taxpayer in acquiring that supply; or
5. if the consideration for the supply is payable by a connected person, the value of the supply shall be taken to be its open market value.

The value of a taxable supply imported into Jamaica by a Registered Taxpayer shall be the aggregate of:‑

1. the value of that taxable supply for customs duty purposes;
2. the amount of customs duty payable;
3. any additional stamp duty on inward customs warrants; and
4. any special consumption tax payable in respect of that taxable supply.

The value of a taxable supply imported into Jamaica forpersonaluse and not for resale by any person who is not a Registered Taxpayer shall be the aggregate of:‑

1. the value of that taxable supply for customs duty purposes;
2. the amount of customs duty payable;
3. any additional stamp duty on inward customs warrants; and
4. any special consumption tax payable in respect of that taxable supply.

The value of a taxable supply imported into Jamaica for resale and not for personal use by any person who is not a Registered Taxpayer shall be the aggregate of:‑

1. the value of that taxable supply for customs duty purposes;
2. the amount of custom duty payable;
3. any additional stamp duty on inward customs warrants;
4. any special consumption tax payable in respect of that taxable supply; and
5. such percentage of the total value of (a), (b), (c) and (d) as may be determined by the Commissioner, having regard to the price which the supply would fetch on a sale made by a retailer on the open market.

Rates of General Consumption Tax to be Applied to Each Supply

Taxable supplies are taxed at a rate depending on the nature of the supply. There is a standard rate of 16.5% which is the rate applied to all goods and services except those that are taxed at zero percent or chargeable at a specified rate, for example, tax on telephone services. The goods and services which attract a rate of zero percent are listed in Appendix 1. The rates applicable to motor vehicles are listed in Part 1 of the First Schedule of the GCT Act.

History of the standard rate:

Where goods or services are taxed at zero percent, a Registered Taxpayer will not charge GCT on supply of these goods or services but he will be able to claim an Input Tax Credit of any tax paid in relation to the supply of these goods or services.

GCT on Imported Goods and Supply

General Consumption Tax (GCT) is levied and collected at the time goods are entered for home consumption under the Customs Act. The person importing the goods is liable to pay the GCT to Customs on the same document which is used to pay the Customs Duty.

Registered Taxpayer importing services subject to tax are required to self-assessed and account for the GCT (this mechanism is called a reverse charge)

Supply for the purposes of the GCT Act includes:‑

1. the sale, transfer or disposition of goods by a Registered Taxpayer so that the goods sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of no longer form part of the assets of a taxable activity;
2. the exercise of a power of sale by a person ‑other than a registered taxpayer in satisfaction of a debt owed by a Registered Taxpayer; and
3. the provision of services.

KEEPING RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS

Legal Requirements

Section 36 of the General Consumption Tax Act requires every Registered Taxpayer to:

(a) keep accounts, books and records as may be prescribed;

(b) produce relevant accounts, books and records whenever and wherever they are required to do so by anauthorisedperson;

(c) produce any other information as may be required by an authorised person or as may be prescribed.

Records and Books to be Kept

A Registered Taxpayer is required to keep books and records, in English, at his principal business place in Jamaica; or at any other place and on any terms and conditions specified by the Commissioner in writing. In the case of persons who file returns separately for branches or divisions, accounting records must be kept at these branches or divisions.

The records must be kept in a form, and contain information, which will enable you and the authorities to determine your liabilities and obligations under the Act; or the amount of any rebate or refund to which you are entitled.

The records must be completely up‑to‑date and must easily relate to the figures shown on the return for each taxable period. Examples of the books and records include:

• Purchases and Sales Books
• Purchase Invoices/Import and Export Documentation
• Sales Invoices, Services Billings Invoices
• Credit or Debit Notes
• Income and Expenditure Records
• Cash Register Tapes
• Copies of GCT Returns
• Charts and Code of Accounts
• Purchase Orders Stamped as Zero‑rated by TAJ Officers
• Accounting Instruction Manuals
• A GCT Account and a Special Consumption Tax Account or both
• System and Programme Documentation which describes the Accounting System maintained on a Computer including computer tapes, computer disks, and microfilm
• Bank Statements
• Tax Invoices

Retention of Records

Registered Taxpayers must keep these books and records for at least six years from the end of the taxable period to which they relate.

Where the accounts are kept by means of a computer record, all documents, disks, cards and tapes are to be stored in a manner so as to preserve all such information. All changes made and the dates they were made should be noted in chronological order.

Goods Given Away, Taken For Personal Use or Diverted To an Exempt Activity

Registered Taxpayers must keep a record of goods given away, transferred to non‑taxable activities or taken for own use if these goods have been acquired or produced in the course of carrying out taxable activity and account for tax on same. These records must provide the following information:

• description and quantity of the goods;
• date they were taken from stock;
• the cost of the supplies and the tax to be paid on it.

Exports

Where goods are exported the Registered Taxpayer is required to hold evidence that the goods have been exported. This will include, for example:

• Contracts
• Copies of invoices
• Freight and packing details
• Customs export documents
• Evidence of payment for supply

If you supply services to a person who is not resident in Jamaica or who realizes the benefit of the supply outside of Jamaica, then those services are zero‑rated.

GCT Account

For each taxable period, it is recommended that Registered Taxpayers summaries the records of output tax due and payable (including tax on any goods taken for own use) and payments or repayments by the Department and input tax paid on purchases, services as well as tax in respect of bad debts and credit notes.

These summaries should be entered in a special book or ledger account to be known as the GCT Account. A copy of the GCT Return filed with TAJ should be retained as part of your records as part of the records of the business.

AN EXAMPLE OF A GCT ACCOUNT

Tax Period from 1 April, 2010 to 30 April 2010

Contents of Records

The books and records should contain the following:

• A record of all goods and services supplied or received
• The names of suppliers or their agents, in sufficient detail to enable the Commissioner to readily identify the goods and services provided by them
• All invoices, tax invoices, credit notes and debit notes relating thereto
• A book or books containing entries from day to day in sufficient detail relating to all cash received and cash paid
• Annual stocktaking record

Credit or Debit Notes

Where the Registered Taxpayer has issued a tax invoice and made a return and

1. the supply is subsequently canceled,
2. the terms or transaction altered,
3. the value of the supply is incorrectly calculated or stated on a tax invoice,
4. the tax is incorrectly calculated, or
5. the goods or services are returned to the supplier,

the Registered Taxpayer should give the recipient a credit or debit note as appropriate. Such notes should be clearly marked Credit or Debit as the case may be and contain information similar to that required for a tax invoice.

Copies of Credit or Debit notes should be clearly marked "COPY" at the top of the note. The Registered Taxpayer issuing or receiving a Debit or Credit note must retain a copy of it.

What is a Tax Invoice?

• All Registered Taxpayers must issue a Tax Invoice to all other Registered Taxpayers to whom taxable goods or services are supplied.
• The tax invoice, which should be pre-numbered, must show the:-
• Words "Tax Invoice" (shown prominently)
• Date of the taxable supply
• Serialised number of the tax invoice
• Name, address and GCT registration number of the Registered Taxpayer issuing the invoice
• Name and address of the Registered Taxpayer to whom the taxable supply is made
• Quantity and description of the taxable supply
• Amount of the consideration payable on the taxable amount
• Rate of tax and the amount of tax payable
• Total amount of the consideration and the GCT.

Therefore, a Tax Invoice is simply your normal commercial bill or invoice with four additional pieces of information:

• The words "Tax Invoice"
• Your GCT registration number
• The rate and amount of GCT applicable
• The total value of the invoice including GCT.

It is important to note that:

• Only one tax invoice is to be issued in respect of a supply
• A tax invoice must be issued within 7 days of a supply
• A tax invoice must be prepared for goods taken for own use and marked "Own Use"
• A replacement invoice should be clearly marked "COPY" and signed by the Registered Taxpayer issuing it.

See:Example of a Tax Invoice

RECORD OF SALES AND PURCHASES

How Are Sales Recorded?

As a Registered Taxpayer, you must issue a tax invoice for sale made to another Registered Taxpayer. In the case of sales to other persons, you should issue an invoice or a receipt for each transaction. Each day, a summary should be prepared showing the sales of taxable, zero-rated and exempt sales. The daily sales record will form the basis for the monthly GCT return.

If a person give away goods and take goods from his stock for personal use or for tax exempt activity, you must record:

• description of the goods;
• the date you took them from the stock;
• the cost (including GCT);
• the rate and amount of tax to be remitted.

For each taxable period you must add up the GCT shown in records and transfer the amount to your GCT account, as output tax.

If you issue a credit note to a customer, any GCT on the credit note will reduce the amount of GCT payable. But if a debit note is issued, the GCT payable is increased.

In addition to the above:

(a)businesses which use cash registers with till rolls and issue tax invoices from time to time, e.g. supermarkets, will have to retain their tax invoices and till rolls as part of their records;

(b)computer-generated records must provide the same type of information provided by a manual system and must be sufficient to enable the tax on you purchases and sales to be accurately computed. Additionally, computer-generated "Tax Invoices" must supply the same information as that provided on manual tax invoices.

How Do I Record My Purchases And Expenses?

Your suppliers' Tax Invoices will give you all the details you need. Just make a list of the invoices in the same order as you keep them. This allows individual invoices to be easily identified. You may find it useful to number the invoices as you receive them and record the same numbers against the entries in your listing which must show:

• GCT on purchases and expenses;
• the value of purchases excluding GCT;
• GCT on imports, paid or deferred;
• any credits received from suppliers.

If you get a credit note from a supplier, any GCT on the credit note will reduce the amount of tax you can deduct.

Input Tax

Input tax is tax charged to a Registered Taxpayer on the supply of goods and services made to him or on the importation of goods and services for the purpose of making a taxable supply.

Input Tax Credit

A Registered Taxpayer can claim an Input Tax Credit for any tax paid or payable by him for a particular period, as well as other amounts specified in the regulation, if such supplies are being used in his taxable activity. The amount of input taxes that can be claimed is the tax as per the tax invoice or GCT paid at the point of importation of the taxable supplies into Jamaica. If total supplies are inclusive of exempt supplies then the full input taxes can be claimed only if the exempt portion does not exceed 5% of the total supplies or one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) whichever is less. Where the taxpayer is unable to identify the input tax paid or payable in respect of the taxable supplies and exempt supplies, he shall be entitled to claim as a credit, such proportion of the input tax as is attributable to the total taxable supplies.

Where a Registered Taxpayer incurs capital expenditure, at the end of the taxable period all the input tax paid or payable by the Registered Taxpayer can be claimed if:

1. the consideration for the machinery and equipment (capital goods) is $100,000.00 or less; or
2. the value of the goods that he exports is at least 25% of the value of the goods he manufactures or an amount equivalent in Jamaican dollars to US$416,666.67 as the case may be.

In all other cases the Registered Taxpayer can claim over a period of twenty‑four months the input tax paid or payable on machinery or equipment (capital goods).

A Registered Taxpayer can claim as a tax credit 50% of the following input taxes which he is charged for taxable supplies in the course of conducting his business:

1. 50% of the following input tax which he is charged for taxable supplies in the course of conducting his business:
   • Services rendered in a restaurant, club, or similar establishment or in catering services
   • Services incidental to the provision of entertainment
   • Expenses incurred in respect of motor vehicles
   • The cost of leasing private motor vehicles
2. a Registered Taxpayer can claim as a tax credit 50% of any expense related to services rendered by a person engaged in a tourism activity
3. The cost of leasing the private motor vehicle

Input Tax Credit on Motor Vehicles

Where a motor vehicle is purchased and used in the taxable activity; the Registered Taxpayer can claim as a tax credit over a twenty‑four month period:

1. 7% of the cost (not exceeding an amount in Jamaican dollars equivalent to US$35,000) of any private motor car;
2. All of the tax for any other motor vehicle provided the rate does not exceed 16.5%
3. 14% of the cost of any motor vehicle not being a private motor car.

NOTE: Manufacturers can apply to the Commissioner General for approval to defer payment of GCT on imports of raw materials, spare parts, intermediate goods and consumables.

ACCOUNTING BASES

An Accounting Basis is the method by which the Registered Taxpayer accounts for input tax and output tax in a taxable period. There are two accounting bases available under the GCT.

1.Invoice/Accrual Basis

• This is the normal accounting basis by which the Registered Taxpayer accounts for the tax payable. The tax is accounted for when:
• An invoice is issued
• The goods are delivered; or
• Payment is received for the supply; whichever comes first.

2.Payments/Cash Basis

You may use this basis if you meet any of the following conditions.

1. If you provide any of the following services:
   • supply of general insurance;
   • professional services; or
   • telephone service.
   • Commercial rental
2. Under this basis, the tax is to be accounted for when payment is received or made for a supply. Where a Registered Taxpayer is accounting for tax on the payments basis and he has credit transactions, he will only be required to account for GCT when payment is received or made. To be able to account for GCT under this basis, he must apply in writing to the Commissioner General for approval.

Registered Taxpayers who account for GCT on the payment basis must file returns within fifteen days after the taxable period.

ZERO‑RATED SUPPLIES

If you sell only zero‑rated supplies you will have no GCT to enter in the Sales Book, but you will record the values of zero‑rated sales for completeness. The Purchases Book and Cash Book will have to be written up. The GCT account will normally have only debit entries.

SUPPLIES OF EXEMPT GOODS AND SERVICES

If you supply exempt goods and services you cannot charge GCT on your sales and cannot claim a credit for the GCT you pay on your purchases. The GCT paid is simply included as part of the cost of the goods and services. Therefore, if you receive an invoice from a supplier for purchases of $800 and GCT of $100, the full $900 would be entered in the purchases account. There is no need to separate the amount of GCT from the value of the supply.

MIXED SALES

Where you sell a mixture of standard‑rated and zero‑rated goods, your system of accounting must enable you to identify the amount of tax included in your taxable sales. Several options are available to assist persons to account for this tax.

GCT RETURNS

Basic Information

There are four basic types of returns:

1. The General Consumption Tax return (form 4A ) which this guide explains and describes;
   • GCT return form 4A, (Standard Return) is to be used by all Registered Taxpayers
     
2. The Special Consumption Tax return (form 4C) which is to be filed by the manufacturers of prescribed goods, namely.The Tourism Activities Tax return (form 4D) which is to be filed by persons who carry out a tourism activity; and
   • Alcoholic beverages
   • Tobacco products and
   • Petroleum products.
     
3. The Tourism Activities Tax return (form 4D) which is to be filed by persons who carry out a tourism activity; and
4. The General Insurance Tax return (form 4E) which is to be filed by persons carrying out general insurance services.

Filing Your GCT Return

The amount of your business sales of GCT‑taxable goods and services or, alternatively, your combined GCT‑taxable and exempt sales should be filed monthly.

When to File Your Return

As a Registered Taxpayer, you will be required to file a General Consumption Tax Return on form 4A within one month of the end of your taxable period. For example for taxable period July 2012, the monthly return would be due to be file on or before August 31, 2012.

How to Complete Your GCT Return

Once completed, the form together with any payment due must be forwarded to the Collector of Taxes nearest you or filed online within a month of the end of the taxable period to which it relates.

Important

So that you can quickly and correctly complete your GCT Return (Form‑ GCT 4A) at the end of each taxable period, it is important that you set up and maintain an accounting system suitable for your type of business. If you are using the GCT Return Form 4A, your accounting records should include a GCT account for each taxable period.

STANDARD RETURN, NORMAL ACCOUNTING METHOD

See:GCT Return Form 4A efillable | non-efillable

Business Name(as registered for GCT and recorded on The Registration Certificate)

Sole Proprietors/

Sole Traders:Enter first, middle and last names.

Partnerships:Enter the legal name of the partnership as it appears in the PartnershipAgreement.

Companies:Enter the Company's name as it appears in the Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Registrar of Companies.

Trust:Enter the name of the Trustee.

Business Address

Enter the address where the taxable activity is being carried on. If you change address you MUST inform the Commissioner General, in writing.

Registration Number

The registration number assigned to you on your registration certificate should be entered in box I ‑Your registration number should be the same as your Taxpayer Registration Number.

Period Covered By This Return

The starting and ending days, month and year of the taxable period to which the return relates should be entered in box 3.

In normal circ*mstances, this will be a month. Refer to the Data Sheet which accompanied the Certificate of Registration to determine when to start filing.

(i)Total Supplies

The total sales or receipts from all activities carried out during the taxable period should be entered in box 6. This value should be exclusive of GCT.

(ii)Exempt Supplies

The amount charged for goods or services exempt from GCT should be entered in box 7.

(iii)Export Supplies

The total value of exported goods or services is to be entered in box 8.

(iv)Zero‑rated Supplies

The total value of goods and services excluding exports (box 8) subject to a rate of tax of zero percent should be entered in box 9.

The values in boxes 7, 8 and 9 should then be added and entered in box 10.

(v)Subject to Positive Rate of GCT

The value of goods subject to a positive rate of GCT is the difference between box 6 and box 10. This value should be entered in box 11.

C.OUTPUT TAX

• Supplies at Standard Rate- The value of goods and/or services subject to a 16.5% rate should be entered in box 12. The standard rate of 16.5% should also be entered in the box under the caption RATE, while the dollar amount of output tax is entered in box 13.
• Supplies at Other Rate(s)- The value of goods and services subject to other positive rates of GCT (e.g. telephone service) should be entered in box 14. The rate should be entered under the caption RATE while the amount of output tax is entered in box 15.
• GCT due on Goods for Exempted Activities, Personal Use and Adjustments. - The output tax due after making adjustments for goods for exempted activities, personal use or used in non‑taxable activity, debit notes, bad debts recovered, etc., should be entered in box 16. In the case of goods for personal use and gifts exceeding one hundred dollars ($ 1 00), other than to approved charitable bodies, output tax should be on the cost of the goods.
• Total Output Tax- The amounts of output tax in boxes 13, 15 and 16 should be added and entered in box 17.

D. INPUT TAX

• Petroleum Products
• Capital Goods
• Goods for which approval has been granted for the deferment of the payment of GCT
• Telephone Instruments
• Goods that are exempt
• Goods imported by a person not registered for GCT
• Imported raw food stuff
• Goods for which Custom duty relief is available under the Productive Input Relief

• The importer is a registered taxpayer, and
• The item being imported is taxable and is not on the list of items that do not attract Advanced GCT.

Example #1 (The effect on amounts payable with Advanced GCT)

The computations in the tables above demonstrate that the Advance GCT paid at the ports serves to reduce the amount of tax payable by the taxpayer at the point when he files his GCT return. Therefore it is truly a prepayment of tax.

Legislative reference: GCT Act, First Schedule PART VII – Advanced GCT Payment