Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) will be embarking on a behaviour-change campaign aimed at getting more Jamaicans to pay their taxes.

Communications Officer at TAJ, Leighton Beckles, made the disclosure to JIS News during a recent interview. The aim is to increase compliance through moral suasion.

"What we intend to do is embark on a campaign where we are winning the hearts and minds, changing the opinions and views of persons about taxes, and recreating a tax culture," he told JIS News.

"We want to show taxpayers that there are so many different ways that their taxes work for them. For those who are already on-board, we will make it easy, and we will always be committed to making it easier for those who pay," he stated.

As part of the strategy, the TAJ will be widening and improving its method of contact, including expanding its social media footprint and strengthening its online access portals.

Beckles acknowledged that changing the tax culture in Jamaica would not happen overnight and would require "gently getting into the psyche and subconsciousness of Jamaicans who want to get information."

"We would love to get them to understand how their taxes work for them. Everything is underpinned by the paying of taxes and how taxes are collected, so it is important that everyone plays their part and pays their fair share," he stated.

For further information, persons may contact the TAJ Customer Care Centre at 1-888-Tax-Help (829- 4357) or visit the TAJ offices at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) Building (4th Floor) at 36 Trafalgar Road, Kingston 10.

They can also telephone 922-8746; fax 754-9593; email communications@taj.gov.jm; or visit the TAJ website at www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.