The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) wants to start rewarding consumers who demand electronic receipts to encourage voluntary use of electronic billing machines among the business community.The tax body says the move will go a long way in curbing tax evasion. Some businesses are deliberately avoiding the issuance of electronic receipts to evade taxes. While this is a good initiative by RRA, consumers should not wait for such rewards to appreciate the importance of a receipt in any transaction. For every purchase or transaction, a receipt should always be issued.A receipt comes in handy in many circumstances. For example, in case you choose to return a purchase for one reason or another, the receipt will be the only basis to show proof of purchase. While the awards are aimed at involving consumers to help the Authority achieve efficiency in the collection of value added tax, consumers should take the issue of demanding receipts as a right. By demanding an electronically-generated receipt for every purchase, as a consumer you’re contributing to ensuring compliance that will help enhance tax collections.More tax collections translate into more services in terms of better roads, health, education, among other public goods.The tax body is targeting to collect Rwf795.7 billion this fiscal year compared to Rwf665.8b collected last fiscal year. Over 60 per cent of the budget will be funded by domestic revenues but this cannot be possible if members of the public do not play their rightful role.
