Govt organising online property tax payment option

There will soon be an online payment option for those tired of waiting in long lines to pay property tax.

This was confirmed by both Minister in the Finance Ministry Brian Manning and Tunapuna MP and Deputy House Speaker Esmond Forde yesterday.

Speaking on a radio programme yesterday, Manning said there are 400,000 homes registered, with some 175,000 people receiving notices that they needed to pay their property tax.

Asked about the long lines at the nine payment centres and the complaints over the lack of online payment options, Manning said that is being addressed.

“We are continuing to develop other methods of payment, one that will include online options that people can pay maybe through their banking branches or online from their computers or phones and that is being rolled out,” Manning said.

He added that the Government is “well aware” of the long lines at the pay centre and this too is being worked on. He said the Government did not expect a rush to pay, but noted some payment centres may not be fully equipped as it pertains to staffing to address the number of persons flocking to venues to pay their taxes.

Asked why online payment was not done before, as there is a Ministry of Digital Transformation to spearhead such things, Manning said it is not a simple situation and that is now being developed.

“There are many other situations happening at the same time. We are also moving to the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) and other things, so it was very complex to have done that previously, but we are working to get it done going forward. That is as much as I can say now. It will happen and it’s going to be implemented.”

Speaking at the Tunapuna Administrative Complex, Forde, who organised three tents and 300 chairs for those who turned up to pay their property tax, reiterated that the online option will soon be made available.

Forde, who visited the office to ensure his name was listed to pay his property tax, said the long lines were a concern to him, so he donated the tents and chairs and had a sponsor donate water. The complimentary service will continue until September 30, when the deadline for the payment of taxes is due.

The men spoke moments after the United Kingdom-based Privy Council dismissed the final appeal in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the T&T Revenue Authority (TTRA) brought by the Public Services Association (PSA) and customs officer Terria Dhoray.

The Privy Council ruled that the move was not unconstitutional, paving the way for Government to fully operationalise the authority.

The Law Lords said: “The transfer of revenue functions to the Authority pursuant to the Act does not breach any implied provision or assumption on which the Constitution is based.”

Immediately after the judgment, Finance Minister Colm Imbert took to social media to celebrate, saying: “WE WON THE CASE! This required tremendous effort against the relentless opposition from the UNC and the PSA. Now we can modernise revenue collection.”

While those who spoke to Guardian Media at the Tunapuna Complex mostly complained about the time it took to pay property tax, the amount they paid and the lack of an electronic payment system, pensioner Frederick Gray said this was part of “teething problems.” However, he said the payment process is something that needs to be properly planned out.

“The thing about it is the administration of anything in the country takes a certain time frame, you cannot get everything as you want it to be. I expect this, I am saying this, I anticipate that we are going to get an extension. That is the only beneficial thing to do,” Gray said.

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