Jamaican authorities are urging individuals and informal groups involved in hurricane recovery efforts to secure temporary charitable status before year-end deadlines expire. This special designation, created through collaboration between the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies, enables continued access to critical tax waivers and concessions for relief operations.
With the December 31 expiration approaching for customs clearance exemptions on hurricane relief goods, only those possessing temporary charitable certification will maintain access to streamlined Tax Administration Jamaica services. Crooxcine Cooper-Mayes, CEO of Mayes Compliance Services, emphasized that “Come January, only people with this charitable status will be able to clear their items” through official channels.
The initiative specifically targets unregistered organizations and individuals engaged in community recovery activities including debris removal, therapeutic services, and distribution of essential supplies. Successful applicants gain extended operational authority until May 2026, particularly focusing on rebuilding efforts in western parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.
Benefits include exemption from General Consumption Tax on food and construction materials, special duty waivers, and highway toll relief. The application process requires groups to designate an official name, complete Politically Exposed Person declarations, undergo fit-and-proper assessments, and submit detailed activity plans with budgetary projections.
Cooper-Mayes highlighted the cost-free nature of the application, noting that “it is free of cost for them to access this charitable status so that they are able to purchase items and clear things from the wharf to give aid in the affected communities.” The streamlined processing typically completes within ten business days, with certificates valid from November 2025 through May 2026.
In parallel developments, government-supported business recovery programs have emerged through the Development Bank of Jamaica’s $10-billion M5 Business Recovery Programme. This initiative offers blended grant support, concessional financing, and credit enhancement solutions for storm-affected enterprises. Additional Cabinet-approved allocations of $42 million target small business restoration in severely impacted regions.
The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce has established a dedicated Business Restoration Initiative featuring the Melissa Business Restoration portal to coordinate recovery services. Compliance experts stress that maintaining current registrations and tax compliance certificates remains crucial for organizations seeking to access upcoming grant opportunities.
When queried about application volumes for the temporary charitable status, the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies indicated that statistical information remained pending communication unit approval at press time.