NHT assures contributors about refunds

As the National Housing Trust (NHT) process applications for 2018 refunds, some Jamaicans say they are discovering missing contributions on the entity's online portal, triggering concern and frustration.

Several contributors report logging in to apply for their refunds, only to find that expected payments are not reflected, leading some to question whether their employers paid over funds deducted from their salaries. However, Assistant General Manager of Compliance Management at the NHT, Dameon McNally, cautioned contributors against rushing to that conclusion, explaining that missing contributions on the portal do not always mean employers failed to make payments.

"Sometimes the return may be filed, but the information is not seen because there may be incorrect information on the return," McNally said. "For example, your name may be on the return but your NIS (National Insurance Scheme) [number] or TRN (Taxpayer Registration Number) are not reflected, and that may be why your return is not showing on the online platform."

McNally explained that once a contributor has an account with the NHT and the information submitted by the employer matches the contributor's records, the process is seamless. However, any mismatch - whether in name, TRN, or other identifying details - can prevent contributions from being properly mapped to an individual's account.

Addressing cases where employers genuinely fail to remit contributions, McNally stressed that the responsibility does not fall on the contributor.

"That matter is handled internally between the Trust and the employer," he said. "From the customer's point of view, once your name is on the monthly or annual return, it should be mapped to your account. Any payment issue is dealt with by NHT."

McNally also emphasised that penalties apply for late payments, noting that contributions are due by the 15th of the month following deduction.

"For example, contributions for December should be remitted by January 15. If not, there is an automatic 20 per cent per annum penalty, which is not paid by the employee, but by the employer," he said.

In 2016, it was reported that employers across the island owed the NHT approximately $59 billion, including interest, after failing to hand over contributions collected from employees. At the time, about 1,400 delinquent firms were before the courts.

While McNally said he does not have a current figure, he said that from his assessment, that figure has been steadily declining.

"We now have a team of attorneys managing the court process, which has made it faster. We have more employers before the court and more making payments based on judgments." He added that many cases involve dormant or defunct private-sector entities, some of which have been out of operation for years.

"A lot of these matters must go before the court, and that process can take anywhere from five to 10 years," McNally said, noting that the NHT continues to work with affected entities to make payment arrangements where possible.