Jamaica, lovely Jamaica

I had the great pleasure of needing a Tax Compliance Certificate for my company, as we needed to get a duty waiver on equipment that Machel Montano used to perform at the LIME All-Island Carnival J’ouvert. Follow me on this interesting journey through Jamaica’s lovely administration.

The Waiver
Thanks to the amazing Kim Marie Spence, Jamaica’s Film Commissioner at Jamaica Trade and Invest, I secured the necessary waiver for the equipment. Quick question – why is it that I need to pay duty/get a waiver on equipment that will in no way, shape, or form be left in Jamaica? Now you would think with the waiver all I would need was some ID, maybe my company documents and head to customs when the party arrives. Right? WRONG. I need to spend more money, and hire a customs broker – the sole function of which seems to be to fill out forms.

The Tax Compliance Certificate
In order to be eligible for a waiver, you have to be tax compliant and get a TCC. No problem, right? WRONG. My brother and I have been running up and down for three days trying to get this coveted piece of paper. Let’s examine it.

Clearance letters from NHT and NIS? NHT was the easier of the two. Because my business partner is employed full-time, she has had to submit her last two pay slips to prove she has been contributing. OK – bad and not so bad. I mean, I see the sense in this.

Here’s where it starts to get interesting.

On the business incorporation, Angie is listed as Angella Byfield – her maiden name. At the time, she had no ID in her married name, Blair, so we were forced to use this. In 2011, 3 years later, she has ID in the name of Blair and the tax department has decreed that Angella Byfield and Angella Blair is not the same person and I must either re-incorporate my company or file a change of directors form to reflect her new name as a marriage certificate will not do. LOOOL. Clearly, this means that once you’re a woman and listed as a company director – you’re not allowed to get married, or God forbid use your married name.

Because I’m a full-time student (or attempting to be) at UTech, they also need to see my student identification. Now, UTech uses the student ID for N O T H I N G at all, so I have no clue where that is. Also that ID expires every year, (yay $1000 ID fee) and the people responsible for it are always at lunch or dealing with 60000000000 people before you. At first, there was no substitute for the ID… and then the supervisor – on my brother’s pleading – relented and said that the school’s acceptance letter would suffice.

(A little later we will talk about UTech and their antics)

Then, I need a reason why I need a TCC. UMMMM…. Isn’t a TCC like, something I’m entitled to? Even if I wanted to frame it or use it as a fan on the beach….. what difference does it make? Like really? Ohhh, I get it. In case I wanted to import some guns, right? Because the people who import illegal guns, they are certainly tax compliant, right? Ok, kool. GLAD to know we’re on par with this.

And everyone knows I could have paid someone some bribe $$ and it would be all over. But then, wouldn't you have heard that I'm a bad Jamaican? Right. I thought so.

At the end of the day, the Government of Jamaica doesn’t give a rats ass about young Jamaicans. Especially those who are trying to be/ forced to be independent. Of course, if you’re a 21 year-old cattle farmer from Westmoreland named Jasper – FRET NOT. There’s hope for you. Because Chris Tufton is looking out for you, with a bunch of loans to help you parcel land and buy feeding and machinery and stuff.

NEVER MIND the fact that we still import MOST of our food and meats. Yeah, look on the sticker the next time you pick up a broccoli bloom or some fish.

But me? The 21 year old Managing Director of a non-manufacturing company? LOL. I’m reminded here about the time I called the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to find out about Small Business loans and the person that answered referred me to MSB Credit Union.  There’s no help for me.

I have been a patriotic Jamaican forever. I refused to migrate when my family did, and at SEVENTEEN years old, I took a stance that I was going to help develop my little Island nation. I returned to Jamaica and have been trying very hard to remember the Coat of Arms that I brim with pride about. The National Anthem and Pledge that I recite so proudly, and that gives me chills whenever I say the words. I HAVE TRIED.

But what has my country done for me in the last couple years? Let’s examine a few things….

RAISED SCHOOL FEES – to the point where I’m now choosing between having health insurance and paying a school fee.

The Student’s Loan Bureau told me that if I wouldn’t get my loan renewed because I couldn’t make it to the ONE appointment date they had.

The University of Technology delisted me from school in the first semester of the 2010/2011 school year – and are insisting that I still pay the fees. Their Finance department, who told me I was not a student, was not eligible for class, would not be admitted to classes, and would not be able to sit exams during that semester – INSISTS on me paying for the semester of school that I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND. The school has ALSO taken the money that I have paid for THIS semester (earned with sweat and blood) and applied to the semester in which I was delisted from. Oh yeah, after an ENTIRE semester of running around with the Administration department, the school calls me on HOLY THURSDAY (a couple days before exams) to ask me if I’m registered.

Judged me by my AGE and not my ABILITY -- I have been in communication for EIGHT years. EIGHT.  Of course, if I were a non-degree having 30-year old with EIGHT years of experience I would probably be in a cushy office. But, because I’m only 21 – with that kind of experience – I can’t even get an entry level job. That’s why I love the few forward thinkers in corporate Jamaica who have given me a chance and allowed me to prove myself, such as Jerome Hamilton, Carlette DeLeon, Patrice McHugh, Chris Hardy, Shelly-Ann Curran, Paula Pinnock-MacLeod, Kimberly Lawson and Tara Playfair-Scott. ß These people, along with my entertainment family have ensured I don’t wither away and die waiting on my age to catch up with my mind.

You know what the MOST hurtful part about this is? My parents told me that I would regret coming back to Jamaica. I laughed. Jamaica is MY country. MINE. That’s where I was born, and where my heart is. But it seems, until I get to the age of 35 – the country won’t love me back. So you know what, I’m leaving.
(BTW – I was about one month away from employing some FIVE people full time, i.e. NHT and NIS and PAYE contributing people).

I’ll get this TCC. I’ll finish the back-end processes for the waiver. I’ll go through the rudiments with you this ONE LAST TIME Jamaica. And then, I’m DONE.

Going to wind up my company here, and incorporate it in New York. Operate it from there, with Angella and Chieftin controlling it locally.

And then, I’m going to study. Not just for my law degree, but I’m going to study for my citizenship test. My American citizenship test. I’m going to learn the Star Spangled Banner, Uncle Sam trivia, the first amendment etc.

I’m sure I won’t feel the same goosebumps singing and saluting to their anthem… but as the woman at Student Loan told me… “such is life”.

I never once asked for a handout. Never once wanted a free ride. Just some guidance and some support.