KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) says that people planning to travel overseas and who have outstanding tax liabilities could be barred from leaving the island.

This move the TAJ said is part of its enhanced compliance programme targetting taxpayers “who have undisputed liabilities and have been contacted but remain delinquent.”

This will prevent such persons from leaving the island until the outstanding matters have been cleared or suitable written arrangements have been made to settle them, the TAJ said in a release.

Tax evasion is a criminal offence and the tax authority will act with the full provisions of the law to recover any outstanding amounts from tax dodgers, it added.

Taxpayers who are in doubt about their status are being encouraged to contact the TAJ’s Customer Care Centre at 1-888-TAXHELP (829-4357) or the nearest Tax Office.