Many people want to start their journey with an official business registration, but can be daunted by the thought. Here's the breakdown of what to do:
1. REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS/COMPANY
Incorporate a local company or register a business name at the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ).
Company Name Registration
Determine whether the desired name is available and acceptable by completing and submitting a Companies Name Search and Name Reservation Form on the Companies Office of Jamaica website.
Complete and submit the following documents after which a Certificate of Incorporation will be issued:
The Articles of Incorporation (Form 1A). The Articles must be stamped at the Taxpayer Audit & Assessment Department.
A Declaration of Compliance (Form 2). This Declaration should be made by an Attorney-at-law or Chartered Secretary engaged in the formation of the company or a Director or Secretary named in the Articles of Incorporation, stating that all the requirements of the Companies Act 2004 were adhered to when the Articles of Incorporation were being prepared. This document must be signed and sealed by a Justice of the Peace.
A Registered Office Notice (Form 17). Note that this document records the registered or legal address of the company.
Business Name Registration
Complete and submit the following forms for Business Name Registration:
Application for Registration By Sole Trader – BN1 Form
Application for Registration By Partnership – BN2 Form
Application for Registration By Corporation – BN3 Form
Application Forms are available online at http://www.orcjamaica.com/docs/
COJ Fee Schedule is available at http://www.orcjamaica.com/fees/
2. OBTAIN NATIONAL INSURANCE SCHEME (NIS) REGISTRATION
Obtain National Insurance (NIS) reference number from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
Required Documents:
Employer Business Registration Application (Form R1)
Certificate of Incorporation along with Articles and Memorandum of Association
Business Name Certificate
Additional information and application form for the NIS can be accessed online at www.mlss.gov.jm.
3. OBTAIN TAXPAYER REGISTRATION NUMBER (TRN)
The Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) can be obtained from the Taxpayer Registration Centre at the Tax Administration Services Department (TASD) or at any of the Inland Revenue Office (Collectorate) located island wide.
Sole Proprietors
Required Documents:
Application for Taxpayer Registration (Individuals) – FORM 1
Valid ID
National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Card
Business Name Registration Certificate (BNRC) obtained from Companies Office of Jamaica
Partnerships
Required Documents:
Application for Taxpayer Registration (Organizations) – (Form 2) signed by a Partner
Business Name Registration Certificate issued by the Companies Office of Jamaica
Verification of NIS Registration (NIS Letter or Payment Card)
Individual TRN and NIS for each Partner
Valid ID for Signatory Officer
Companies (Local)
Required Documents:
Application for Taxpayer Registration (Organization) – FORM 2 signed by a Director or the Company Secretary Certificate of Incorporation
Articles and Memorandum of Association (for companies registered before February 1, 2005)
Articles of Incorporation (for companies registered after February 1, 2005)
Verification of NIS Registration (NIS Letter or Payment Card)
Individual TRN for each Director
Valid ID for Signatory Officer
Companies (Overseas)
Required Documents:
Application for Taxpayer Registration (Organizations) – FORM 2 signed by an Authorized Officer or the Local Representative
Notarized copies of Registration or Charter Documents (if the company is not registered in Jamaica)
Letter of Registration from the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) if the company is registered in Jamaica
Verification of NIS Registration (NIS Letter or Payment Card) if the company has employees in Jamaica
Form 19 or 31 (issued by COJ) stating Local Representative if the company is registered locally
TRN for the Local Representative or Directors
Valid ID for Signatory Officer
4. OBTAIN GENERAL CONSUMPTION TAX (GCT) REGISTRATION
Apply for GCT Registration at any of the Inland Revenue Office (Collectorate) located islandwide as well as the Tax Administration & Assessment Department (TAAD). Required Documents:
Complete an ‘Application for General Consumption Tax Registration’ – FORM 1
Business Name Registration Certificate or Certificate of Incorporation
Business or Company TRN
5. APPLY FOR TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (TCC)
An application is to be submitted to the Tax Administration Services Department (TASD).
Required Documents:
Application for Tax Compliance Certificate Form
Certificate of Incorporation
TRN
Tax Receipts for Corporate Income Tax, PAYE, NHT, HEART, Education Tax, General Consumption Tax, NIS, and SCT
Clearance Letters from GCT, HEART Trust, Inland Revenue Dept, NIS, and NHT
TCC Applications may be submitted in office, online, via email or fax.
6. REGISTER FOR STATUTORY DEDUCTIONS
Contributions payable by businesses/companies under various legislations are:
Income Tax
Education Tax
National Insurance (NIS)
National Housing Trust (NHT) Contributions
Human Employment & Resource Training (HEART) Fund Contributions