Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has collected Rwf605.5 billion in taxes and non-tax revenues from July to September of the fiscal year 2023/2024. This achievement represents 98.6 percent of the targeted collection of Rwf614.2 billion.

These figures were unveiled during a press conference held on Friday, October 6, which also marked the launch of the 22nd Taxpayers' Appreciation Month. The theme for the year's Taxpayers' Appreciation Month is "Request for EBM Receipt to build Rwanda."

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RRA clarified that the reason for not meeting the revenue collection target was the coinciding of the deadline for Income Tax Quarterly Prepayment (IQP) for the second quarter (July-September) with a weekend. As a result, taxes amounting to up to Rwf10 million were paid in the workdays of October.

Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwali, the RRA Commissioner General, highlighted that there was a 10.8 percent increase (Rwf58.9 billion) in revenue collection compared to the first quarter of the previous fiscal year.

Ruganintwali stated: "From July to September, we collected local government taxes and duties totalling Rwf13.8 billion across all regions, surpassing the Rwf11 billion target with an achievement rate of 124.6%."

He noted that there was a 5.5% increase (Rwf0.7 billion) in revenue collected during the same period compared to the previous year.

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In the 2022/2023 financial year, RRA had a collection target of Rwf2,250.8 billion and exceeded it by concluding the year with a total of Rwf2,320.8 billion in tax collections, surpassing the target by 103.6 percent. This achievement marked a 22.1% rise (Rwf422.4 billion) compared to the 2021/2022 financial year.

Ruganintwali attributed this success to three key factors: administrative initiatives, service improvements, and a favorable economic environment.

Administrative initiatives included validation controls in the taxation system to ensure accurate reporting from taxpayers. Service measures involved the automation of various services, such as the issuance of Tax Clearance Certificates and assessment notices, which positively impacted revenue collection.

Additionally, Rwanda's strong economic growth, surpassing projected rates, contributed to increased tax revenue collection. Ruganintwali acknowledged the evolving compliance attitude of taxpayers while acknowledging challenges that could have affected tax collection, including: "institutional reforms, taxes foregone for public interests, and Rwanda's high tax expenditure.”

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The Taxpayers' Appreciation Month features a range of activities, including Tax Week from October 10 to 12, a National University-Students' Debate from October 23 to November 3, and Taxpayer's Appreciation Day events at provincial and national levels throughout October and November. The activities aim to raise awareness of tax policy and new or amended tax laws. In addition, a Taxpayer's Appreciation Volleyball Tournament is scheduled for the weekend of November 18-19 at BK Arena.