NCB Tax Planning Seminar Highlights the Value of Tax Compliance and Cash Flow Management
22 Mar 2026
Kingston, Jamaica — March 22, 2026: Small and medium-sized businesses across Jamaica are being encouraged to take a more strategic approach to tax planning, as National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB) hosted a seminar focused on improving tax compliance while protecting cash flow.
Held under the theme ‘Master Tax Season and Get Rewarded’, the session attracted more than 100 in-person participants, with over 400 joining online. The event brought together business operators, financial experts and regulatory partners to share practical tools and insights for navigating tax season more effectively.
For many in the room, the conversation centred on a familiar pressure point, how to meet tax obligations without straining already tight cash flow. One of the more practical solutions discussed was the use of credit tools to better manage timing and liquidity.
Noman Walker, Chairman of Portmore Mall, said the session shifted how he thinks about managing payments during the tax period, particularly after learning how the NCB Business Mastercard could provide up to a 55-day interest free financing with an optional 3-month reduced-interest flexi pay facility.
“The repayment flexibility is pretty exciting,” Walker shared. “I can now use the card to pay taxes without affecting my cash flow. This is new to me. I’ve been stressing myself going into my cash during this period.”
Beyond financing options, the seminar also highlighted how digital tools are simplifying the tax process for businesses. For some participants, the accessibility and convenience of online systems stood out as a major shift.
“I love how easy it is to go online and handle everything,” explained Jerone Leith, Marketing Manager at Chicken and Tings. “My advice to other business owners is simple, pay your taxes on time so you benefit, not lose out.” Leith also described the experience as practical and timely, noting how much easier tax administration has become with all the tools available.
Setting the tone for the session, NCB’s Executive Vice President of Retail Banking, Perrin Gayle, explained that the bank’s role extends beyond facilitating transactions to actively supporting how businesses manage their finances.
“Our goal is not only to help businesses meet their tax obligations, but to do so in a way that protects their working capital and supports long-term growth. When businesses have the right financial options, they can manage timing and liquidity more effectively,” Gayle stated.
The discussion was further grounded by insights from Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), which focused on the real, measurable benefits of compliance.
Meris Haughton, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at TAJ, used the session to reinforce the idea that compliance is not just a requirement, but a strategic advantage. Through her ‘Twelve Tips for Filing Income Taxes’ presentation, she outlined how businesses can improve outcomes by staying organised, filing on time and taking full advantage of available incentives which can be used to lower your tax obligation
She also addressed common challenges faced by MSMEs, including poor record-keeping, incorrect classification of expenses, and issues with apportioning costs for home-based operations when business and personal expenses become mingled.
The seminar closed with a panel discussion titled ‘Smarter Payments, Better Records, Easier Tax Compliance’, which brought together representatives from NCB, Mastercard and TAJ to examine the gaps that continue to affect smaller businesses, particularly in the adoption of digital tools.
“While over 90% of our corporate clients actively use our business online banking platform, only about 50% of SMEs are taking advantage of it,” said Danielle Cameron Duncan, Acting Senior Vice President of Payments and Enterprise Operations at NCB. “When businesses adopt digital financial tools, they gain greater visibility into their spending and incoming payments, leading to stronger control over their cash flow and increased financial flexibility. This level of clarity is essential not only during tax season, but year-round. At NCB, we bring all these solutions to the table - we are not just your bank, we are your business partner.”
When businesses adopt digital financial solutions, they gain greater visibility into their spending and incoming payments—leading to stronger control over cash flow and increased financial flexibility. This level of clarity is essential not only during tax season, but throughout the entire year.
Further showcasing the available tool kit, Cameron Duncan gave the attendees a three-step approach for easy and seamless preparation for tax season. She recommended the use of a business card versus personal card or cash to ensure that personal and business payments are properly separated and tracked. Secondly, the use of ecommerce and epos systems to collect payments digitally provides clarity on business inflows and outflows and thirdly using NCB’s business online banking platform to track and analyse accounts digitally. The use of all three yields a smoother tax preparation period which can be bolstered with the excellent financing facility to help manage tax flow during this period.
Participants also engaged the panel on practical concerns, including filing requirements for inactive businesses and eligibility for PAYE tax credits, reinforcing the demand for clear, accessible guidance.
A recording of the session is available on the @NCBJamaica channel on YouTube.
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(L-R) Meris Haughton, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Tax Administration of Jamaica addresses the subject of tax credits and exemptions during the evening’s fireside chat. While Lorie-Anne Bramwell-N’Krumah, Portfolio Officer at NCB, Danielle Cameron-Duncan, Acting Vice President, Payments and Enterprise Operations at NCB and Donna Walters, Director, Business Development at Mastercard listen intently.
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Lorie-Ann Bramwell N’Krumah, Portfolio Officer at NCB and host for the evening, welcomes attendees to the NCB Business Tax Seminar.
