Jamaica: Tax measures in 2026/2027 budget include tax on digital services and intangibles
New special consumption taxes and other increased rates also included
The Minister of Finance and the Public Service on February 12, 2026, presented the budget for financial year 2026/2027, which included the following tax proposals:
- Introduction of special consumption tax (SCT) on non-alcoholic sweetened beverages
- Increase in SCT on cigarettes and pure alcohol
- Introduction of general consumption tax (GCT) on digital services and intangibles
- Increase in environmental protection levy (EPL) rate to 0.8% from 0.5% and expansion of tax base
- Introduction of GCT on importation of motor vehicles for public officials under the "20% duty concession" framework
- Increase in GCT rate on tourism activities from 10% to the standard 15% rate
- Change to corporate income tax filing deadline date to April 15
Read a February 2026 report prepared by the KPMG member firm in Jamaica