Removal of JFJ's charity status was not vindictive - Ministry of Finance

The Ministry of  Finance says the decision to remove Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) charity status was not an act on the part of  the government to be vindictive.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry, Horace Dalley, says JFJ's application was refused because it did not meet all the requirements to be registered as a charitable organisation under the Charities Act.

It was argued that JFJ's charity status was removed because of  its human rights advocacy and last year's controversy involving private children's homes. However, Dalley told RJR News that he denied this  - saying JFJ owes statutory deductions.

“The act is very specific and there’s a clause in the act to which JFJ would not fall. We don’t want JFJ to loose the status that they have, we don’t want them to come to the miisry of finance to seek a waiver.  ….

Dalley said he will be meeting with JFJ to identify if  all the J$11-million owed is for statutory deductions.

He also indicated that the Ministry will be working with the organisation to restore its charity status.

“We don’t want to be in a confrontation. If you have a problem, sit with  us , we’ll work it out and we’ll get you sorted out . The Tax Authority people  do a good job. ...,” he said.

On Wednesday,  TAJ issued a statement indicating that all entities, including charities, are required to deduct and pay statutory amounts for their employees monthly, under the PAYE system.