In the 2016/2017 fiscal year, Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) surpassed its target by Rwf8.7 billion after collecting Rwf1,103 billion in tax revenue. This was disclosed during the presentation of the 2016/2017 tax revenue performance report in Kigali on Wednesday.

The development is a big step forward as government steps up efforts to ensure that Rwandans ultimately fully fund their national budget.

It is also an indicator that Rwanda’s development goals will get the needed boost as more revenues are raised locally to fund ambitious national development projects.

Although the revenue body attributed the growth in revenue collections to recent tax reforms, more efforts are needed to grow the tax base to the required level.

However, this will require the effort of every Rwandan if RRA is to achieve this goal.

Every taxpayer should look at compliance as a national duty and a noble contribution to the development of the county.

There is evidence that government effectively uses national resources to spur development – the reason why Rwanda is ranked among the fastest growing countries in the world.

Therefore, as the taxman devises new ways to widen the tax base, those who are yet to comply with tax payment should voluntarily do so because if compliance reaches the ideal levels, the country’s development goals will be realised sooner than expected.

RRA should also intensify its tax education programmes across the country to encourage taxpayers to meet their obligations in the spirit of promoting self-reliance as a country.