Government of Jamaica fiscal deficit dropped by $7.6 billion below budget to end at just $4.2 billion for the first two months of the 2017-18 fiscal year. Unbudgeted inflows of $5.2 billion and reduced expenditure of $1.9 billion versus budget were mostly responsible for the improvement.
The primary surplus projected at $8.2 billion jumped to $15.5 billion with the help of the increased inflows and reduced expenditure.
Corporate taxes accounted for a shortfall of $228 million, PAYE for $568 million tax on interest $272 million, stamp duty $403 million and special consumption taxes on imports $1.1 billion. Categories that out performed are special consumption taxes on local goods $336 million, Education taxes $309 million, GCT on local goods and services $518 million, Custom Duty $348 million, Travel tax $510 million and GCT on imports $376 million.
The collection of PAYE for the two months is running at $8.9 million 30 percent lower than the $12.7 billion the government raked in before the increase in the tax threshold that became effective in July last year for the first tranche. On the other hand, Education tax this year of $4.3 billion, is running 13 percent ahead of the $3.8 billion collected for April and May last year.