Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) collected Rwf371.5 billion in taxes in the first quarter of the 2020/2021 fiscal year, surpassing its target despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

The performance means that the taxman collected 105.8 per cent of the Rwf351.2 billion target.

It comes in the midst of a pandemic, which rattled job markets and affected business operations—which are major sources of taxes.

The figures were announced on Wednesday, November 4, as RRA launched the taxpayer’s appreciation month, which runs till November 20.

The month among others seeks to recognize best compliant taxpayers countrywide and raise public awareness on the contribution of taxes in national development.

This taxpayer’s appreciation months is being celebrated under the theme "support business for economic resilience”.

In the 2019/20 fiscal year, tax collections suffered a shortfall compared to projection. 

RRA's Commissioner-General Pascal Ruganintwali said that tax and non-tax revenue collected in the fiscal year 2019-2020 was Rwf1,516.3 billion compared to a target of Rwf1,589 billion, which is equivalent to 95.4 percent achievement of the target.