Taxpayers in Muhanga District have raised the need for more information on tax procedures and fines involved in the case of default.

This was during a Rwanda Revenue Authority taxpayer sensitization campaign held in Muhanga District in the Southern Province on Thursday. The campaign mainly focused on educating taxpayers on when to declare and pay both profit and Value Added taxes.

Presentations were made on how to calculate the two taxes and deadlines for payment. In the same presentations, taxpayers were urged to always fulfill their obligations by paying all that is due and doing it on time.

It was however observed that, in a conference hall that had about 300 participants only 120 people were registered with the Tax Authority, that is to say those that had a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

According to RRA, this implied that all business transactions in that particular area are not subject to taxation. Talking to participants, the RRA regional Coordinator, Eugene Munyaneza, said that it is always good to be a good citizen by contributing to the development of the nation.

"As a Rwandan, your contribution is paying the due taxes to the government coffers and not tax avoidance or tax evasion through different corners of the country,” Munyaneza underscored.

He added that with customer care at the forefront, Rwandans shall achieve their goals and even surpass them. He urged every participant to be compliant, pay the actual taxes and do so on time to avoid penalties.

Jean Pierre Mutabaruka, private sector representative in the district urged the Business Development Services (BDS), District officials and RRA to work closely in availing necessary information to taxpayers. He said that this will prevent consequential penalties that might result from not knowing such information.

"If we do this, we will be providing quality services to the private sector and the result is business growth and trade facilitation,” he noted.

Among concerns raised by participants include tenders that are issued without VAT as pre-condition, wholesale traders who do not issue purchase invoices, change of tax laws, prolonged audit process and the VAT reverse charge.

According to RRA officials, since the year begun, RRA has so far carried out taxpayer sensitization campaigns in about 8 districts and has the mission to reach every taxpayer even at grass root levels.

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