30th EDITION I APRIL-SEPTEMBER 2018
INSIDE COJ EYES ISO CERTIFICATION NEW POLICY: MAKING PAYMENT VIA BANK DEPOSIT
Business Operators Urged to Utilise Online Registration Platform T
he Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) is encouraging business operators to utilise the Electronic Business Registration Form (eBRF).
explained that the eBRF converts the manual form to an electronic version, which minimises time and errors since the system uses smart wizard technology.
Speaking with JIS News, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the COJ, Judith Ramlogan,
She noted that the eBRF allows business operators to register their business name or
Opening Hours Our office is opened for business during the following hours: KINGSTON OFFICE 1 GRENADA WAY, KGN 5 Mondays to Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. MONTEGO BAY OFFICE 10 DELISSER DRIVE Mondays to Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Our Drop-Off Box facility is available Mondays to Fridays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Hon. Audley Shaw (left), congratulates entrepreneur Sania McDonald, who registered her business online using the Electronic Business Registration Form, at the COJ’s offices in New Kingston, on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, following a demonstration of the online registration system. The Agency is currently piloting the system.
company from wherever they are in the world and from the convenience of their homes. “All you will need is a smartphone or a computer with Internet service. You can upload your signatures, and other documents may be scanned and uploaded to our system,” Mrs. Ramlogan said. She added that the eBRF boasts several features, including an online payment option using the COJ eBank subscription, secret phrase for verification, data protection and traceability of document and the registration process. “The steps are simple during the process of registering your business name using the eBRF. You will be asked to create a subscription account on the COJ website, which is www.orcjamaica.com. This registration account will be required to have a minimum of $2,500 to make the necessary payments for the service,” Mrs. Ramlogan explained. She said that the COJ eBank subscription will be the only online payment option, because credit and debit cards will not allowed.
Entrepreneur Sania McDonald, who registered her business online using the COJ's Electronic Business Registration Form is presented with her certificate of registration by Registrar and CEO Judith Ramlogan following a demonstration of the system at the Agency's offices in New Kingston, on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. The Agency is currently piloting its online registration platform
She added that another unique feature of the new eBRF system is that following the payment, the customer will be asked registering, they can call the customer to verify the information and also be able care centre during work hours to take them through the process,” she noted. track its progress.
the future.
A total of 130 entities have utilised the COJ’s eBRF since the online facility was “You are also given the option of utilising Mrs. Ramlogan said that business opera- piloted on April 4, 2018. tors will have the choice of submitting as a courier service or selecting a pickup many forms as they like, and they also The eBRF represents the first online destination. We are making it easier for have the option of doing partnership regyou to complete this process,” Mrs. Rambusiness registration system in the istration, granted all parties have a sublogan said. Caribbean, and the project is being unscription account. dertaken at a cost of approximately $35 “Customers will be given the opportunity million through the Inter-American Develof a user name and password to access She said it is the COJ’s vision to see opment Bank (IDB)-funded Public Sector the eBRF to reserve and then register a the online portal being used as the primary medium to register businesses in Efficiency Programme (PSEP) name. Should there be any difficulties
COJ Eyes ISO Certification Changing technology and increased demand for efficiency by stakeholders and customers, have led the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) to pursue ISO 9001 certification by December 2018.
to achieve the Agency’s mandate.
Model for continual improvement.
ISO 9001:2015, of which COJ is seeking certification is a Quality Management System Standard.
Model for satisfying customers and other stakeholders.
With ISO certification, the COJ will be able to put measures in place to bridge the gaps of service delivery and what customers’ need. This will result in more efficient use of resources and personnel
Benefits of ISO
Activities
Common language for dealing with customers and suppliers worldwide.
The training of internal auditors
Increase efficiency and effectiveness.
In an effort to educate customers, the Companies Office of Jamaica customer service area now boast advertising screens. The content of the screens are geared at helping and updating customers about the services of the Agency.
Build quality into products and services from design to delivery.
Seminars with employees outlining the benefits and impact
Q. Is it enough to record the registered office’s address or any change in the Annual Returns? A. No. This notice must be filed on a Form 17 separately to satisfy the requirements of the law and the prescribed fees paid. Q. Is it true that Annual Returns need not be filed at the Companies Office of Jamaica as long as it is filed at the Income Tax Office? A. No. Under the Companies Act, Annual returns are required to be filed for every company. Annual Returns filed at the Income Tax Office are a separate requirement under a different legislation. Q. Is the Annual Return the same as the Declaration of Assets? A. No. The Annual Return records owners, directors and the shares of a company among other information while the Declaration of Assets is just that - a record of the assets of a company. Q. Are companies required to file Financial Statement? A. All Non-Profit companies (companies limited by guarantee not having a share capital) are required to file Income & Expenditure Statements. All public and overseas companies are required to file Financial statements. Private companies with individuals as shareholders are not required to file Financial statements. Private companies with body corporate as shareholders who are required to file Financial statements, must file annual Financial statements
Q. Can the Annual Return be filed if no Annual general Meeting is held? A. Yes it can and should be. Q. Are all companies obliged to file returns whether or not they are operating? A. Yes. As long as the company has not been removed from the register of companies, annual returns must be filed. Q. What happens if a company does not file its Annual Returns? A. If the company does not file, a claim is brought against the company and its director in the Supreme court of Jamaica , such a claim seeks to have the court issue an order against the company to file its outstanding returns and to pay legal fees incidental to the court action. If the company fails to comply with the order of the court , committal proceedings are then undertaken against the Company Directors wherein the court may sentence the Director/s of the company to a correctional facility for a stated period of time.
Our Partners:
eGov Jamaica Ltd (formerly Fiscal Services Ltd)
The following Government Ministries and Agencies have partnered with the Companies Office of Jamaica to make your business registration and start-up experience easy and convenient:
Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ)
Ministry of Industry Investment & Commerce
Ministry of Labour and Social Security (N.I.S.) National Housing Trust HEART Trust/NTA
The Companies Office of Jamaica is an Executive Agency under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries