Jamaica’s tax system is run by Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), with customs duties collected by the Jamaica Customs Agency. Taxes fall into four broad groups: taxes on income, payroll contributions, taxes on spending, and taxes on property and transactions. Here is every major tax and its current rate.
Jamaica tax rates at a glance (2026)
| Tax | Current rate |
|---|---|
| Personal income tax | 25% above J$1,902,360; 30% above J$6 million |
| Corporate income tax | 25% (regulated companies 33⅓%; building societies 30%) |
| Dividend tax (residents) | 15% final tax |
| Interest (withheld at source) | 25% |
| General Consumption Tax (GCT) | 15% standard; 25% telecoms; 10% tourism |
| NIS | 3% employee + 3% employer (on up to J$5M a year) |
| NHT | 2% employee + 3% employer |
| Education Tax | 2.25% employee + 3.5% employer |
| HEART/NSTA Trust | 3% employer |
| Property tax | J$1,000 minimum; 0.50%–0.90% bands on land value |
| Transfer tax | 2% of sale price or market value |
| Stamp duty on property transfers | J$5,000 flat |
| Capital gains tax | None |
1. Taxes on income
Personal income tax
Individuals pay nothing on statutory income up to J$1,902,360 a year (from 1 April 2026), 25% on income from there up to J$6 million, and 30% above J$6 million. Employers deduct it through PAYE. Read the full guide: Jamaica income tax 2026.
Corporate income tax
- 25% for most companies.
- 33⅓% for regulated companies — those supervised by the Bank of Jamaica, Financial Services Commission, Office of Utilities Regulation or Ministry of Finance (with some exceptions, such as life insurers and renewable-energy producers, which pay 25%).
- 30% for building societies.
- Approved pension funds and charities are exempt. Companies in Special Economic Zones pay a reduced rate.
Tax on dividends and interest
Dividends paid by Jamaican companies to resident individuals are taxed at a final 15%, deducted at source. Banks and other financial institutions withhold 25% tax on interest paid to residents. Non-residents face withholding tax of up to 33⅓%, reduced by tax treaties; since April 2025 the rate on dividends to non-resident companies is 15%.
2. Payroll contributions
Every employee and employer pays statutory contributions on top of income tax:
- National Insurance Scheme (NIS): 3% from the employee and 3% from the employer, on earnings up to J$5 million a year. Funds pensions and benefits.
- National Housing Trust (NHT): 2% employee, 3% employer. Contributors can get low-interest mortgages; employee contributions are refundable after seven years.
- Education Tax: 2.25% employee, 3.5% employer.
- HEART/NSTA Trust: 3% employer contribution that funds training.
See the effect on your pay with the salary calculator.
3. Taxes on spending
General Consumption Tax (GCT)
GCT is Jamaica’s value-added tax. The standard rate is 15%, with 25% on telephone services and handsets and 10% on tourism activities (scheduled to rise to 15% on 1 April 2027). Some basic foods, medicines and other items are zero-rated or exempt. Businesses must register for GCT once their annual turnover passes J$15 million. Try the GCT calculator.
Special Consumption Tax (SCT)
An extra tax on specific goods: petroleum products, alcohol, tobacco, sweetened beverages and some motor vehicles.
Customs duties and import charges
Imports attract customs duty under the CARICOM Common External Tariff, plus charges such as the Additional Stamp Duty, Environmental Levy, Customs Administrative Fee and GCT at the border.
4. Taxes on property and transactions
Property tax
Charged yearly on the unimproved value of land: J$1,000 on the first J$400,000, then 0.50% to 0.90% on higher bands. Due 1 April. Full guide: Jamaica property tax 2026.
Transfer tax and stamp duty
When land, buildings or shares change hands, transfer tax of 2% of the price or market value is payable (usually by the seller). Stamp duty on a property transfer is a flat J$5,000, and a registration fee of about 0.5% is paid to the National Land Agency. Shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange are exempt from transfer tax. Use the closing cost calculator to estimate a sale.
Estate transfer tax
When someone domiciled in Jamaica dies, transfer tax applies to their estate, with the first J$10 million exempt. Jamaica has no separate inheritance tax.
Other business taxes
- Asset tax: 0.25% on certain financial institutions’ assets.
- Contractors levy: 2% deducted from payments to building contractors.
Who collects what
- Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ): income tax, PAYE and payroll contributions, GCT, property tax, transfer tax and stamp duty. Find your nearest office in our tax office directory.
- Jamaica Customs Agency: customs duty and taxes on imports.
- National Land Agency: property valuations and land title registration.
Frequently asked
What is the GCT rate in Jamaica? 15% for most goods and services.
Does Jamaica have capital gains tax? No, but transfer tax and stamp duty apply to many transfers.
What is the corporate tax rate in Jamaica? 25% for most companies and 33⅓% for regulated financial and utility companies.
What taxes come off a Jamaican payslip? Income tax (PAYE), NIS, NHT and Education Tax.
Sources: Tax Administration Jamaica, Jamaica Information Service, PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (reviewed 2025–2026). General information only — not tax advice.
