Setting up a small business in Jamaica, like most Government-related activities, can be pretty challenging. You need to complete and submit copious amounts of paperwork and make several treks between Downtown and New Kingston to visit various offices, that common sense should dictate be close to each other.

Likewise in true “Third World” fashion do not expect much in terms of directions, advice and/or explanations. To quote the Director of Companies of Jamaica, the body responsible for registering business names and incorporating companies, Ms. Judith Ramlogan, “Our company is not obligated to provide information about our services to our clients.”

Despite such arrogance and stupidity, do not be discouraged. I have compiled the Jamaican Cheat Sheet: Small Business to help you find your way.

Registering your Business
First stop is the Companies of Jamaica website where you can download and print the form you require, depending on your needs. What they may or may not tell you though is that:

Expiration of your certificate does not mean cancellation; you continue to owe the Government for all renewals until the name is cancelled. Keep in mind you might also be audited for taxes although your business is defunct.

Also need to walk with 3 passport-sized pictures and your TRN number and remember the registration fee.

Companies of Jamaica
1 Grenada Way
Kingston
Tel: 876-908-4419-26

National Insurance Scheme (NIS)
Download your relevant NIS forms and complete and drop off at the NIS office.

Walk with two 2 passport size pictures signed by a JP and your birth certificate.

National Insurance Scheme
18 Ripon Road
Kingston 5
Tel: 876-929-7144-6

Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN)
Download your TRN FORMS and drop off at the office. Requirements are the same as those for the (NIS) number.

TRN Office
Kingston Mall
12 Ocean Boulevard
Kingston
Tel: 876-922-7429/922-3913

Inland Revenue Dept.
Register with Inland Revenue Department for income tax. Download the applicable forms. Register for Income Tax, Education Tax (ED Tax), General Consumption Tax (GCT) and other statutory deductions.

National Housing Trust (NHT)
Download the relevant forms, complete and drop off at the NHT office.

National Housing Trust
4 Park Boulevard
Kingston 5
Tel: 876-929-6500/929-6627

Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
Download the TCC form and email it to the following locations.

KINGSTON: tcckingstreet@ird.gov.jm
CONSTANT SPRING: tcccspring@ird.gov.jm
SPANISH TOWN: tccspntwn@ird.gov.jm
MANDEVILLE: tccmandeville@ird.gov.jm
MAY PEN: tccmaypen@ird.gov.jm
ST. ANN’S BAY: tccstaby@ird.gov.jm
MONTEGO BAY: tccmobay@ird.gov.jm

You can collect your TCC within 24 hours from the location you sent your email to.

NOTE
All information listed here is schedule to change and expect this to be as tedious and as time consuming as possible. In the end though it is well worth it as without your contribution to the country’s coffers you really do not have a say.