KSAMC Property Tax Drives Yield $4.6 Million

Kingston, Jamaica — 26 February 2026

Just over $4.6 million was collected by the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) during five targeted property tax collection drives held across St. Andrew between June and August 2025, according to the Mayor of Kingston during a recent General Sitting of Council.

The initiative, undertaken in partnership with the Tax Administration of Jamaica (TAJ) and supported by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, formed part of a broader push to improve compliance and reduce arrears among property owners in the Corporate Area. Collection points were established at Emmanuel Christian Academy in Norbrook, Tropical Plaza on Constant Spring Road, Meadowbrook Community Centre in Havendale, and Liguanea Plaza on Old Hope Road.

For Jamaica’s property market, the announcement is more than an accounting update. Property tax remains one of the most direct financial links between land ownership and local governance. It underpins municipal services such as road maintenance, drainage, public sanitation, and community infrastructure — all of which shape the value, safety, and usability of residential and commercial property.

The Mayor indicated that the aim of the initiative was to remind citizens of the importance of property tax in sustaining municipal services, encourage voluntary compliance, and reduce outstanding balances. Plans are now in place to expand similar drives to other communities in Kingston and St. Andrew.

At a systems level, property tax compliance influences more than municipal budgets. It contributes to the stability of the property ecosystem. When arrears accumulate, local authorities face constrained capacity to maintain infrastructure. Over time, that can affect neighbourhood conditions, development confidence, and ultimately property values.

For homeowners, property tax is often viewed as a routine annual obligation. Yet in a market where household budgets are under pressure from mortgage costs, utilities, and general inflation, compliance levels can fluctuate. Collection drives that bring the payment process closer to communities may help bridge practical barriers, particularly for elderly owners or those less engaged with online systems.

For developers and investors, consistent property tax collection signals administrative discipline. A functioning municipal revenue system supports planning enforcement, public works, and the physical environment that underpins real estate projects. In fast-growing corridors of St. Andrew, infrastructure strain is already visible. Property tax revenue is one of the few recurring tools available to local authorities to respond incrementally to that growth.

There is also a generational dimension. Unpaid property taxes can accumulate quietly over years, creating complications when property is transferred through inheritance or sale. Arrears can delay transactions, increase settlement costs, and in some cases place family land at risk. In this sense, compliance is not simply about current services but about protecting long-term tenure and family assets.

Jamaica’s property tax framework is tied to unimproved land value, meaning assessments relate to the value of the land rather than structures built upon it. While that structure is designed to promote fairness and development, it can also create adjustment pressures in rapidly appreciating areas. As land values rise, tax obligations may increase, testing affordability for long-standing residents.

The recent drives suggest a recognition that enforcement alone is not sufficient; accessibility and engagement matter. Bringing tax services into community spaces signals a practical approach to governance — meeting property owners where they are rather than relying solely on centralised systems.

Dean Jones, founder of Jamaica Homes, said that predictable municipal revenue plays a quiet but essential role in the real estate market. “Property is not just about ownership documents. It’s about the condition of the roads outside your gate, the drainage that protects your foundation, and the public systems that make neighbourhoods liveable. Property tax is part of that foundation.”

While $4.6 million represents a modest figure relative to the full scale of municipal needs, the symbolic value lies in compliance momentum. Expansion of the initiative may provide insight into whether arrears reflect reluctance, administrative gaps, or simple convenience barriers.

Looking ahead, the broader question is sustainability. As Kingston and St. Andrew continue to urbanise, pressures on roads, waste management, and public spaces will intensify. Property tax revenue, though often underappreciated, remains one of the most stable tools available to local authorities to manage that growth.

For property owners, the message is straightforward. Compliance is not only a legal requirement; it is part of maintaining the collective infrastructure that sustains property values and neighbourhood resilience. For policymakers, the challenge will be balancing revenue collection with affordability, particularly for vulnerable households and fixed-income retirees.

In a tightening economic environment, the relationship between municipal finance and real estate stability will only become more visible. The success or limitations of initiatives like these may offer an early indicator of how effectively Jamaica’s urban centres can fund the services that make property ownership secure over time.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and commentary purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Readers should seek professional guidance appropriate to their individual circumstances.