Local government revenue collection goes online

Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has commissioned a new local government revenue management software that will increase efficiency and effectiveness in collection of decentralised taxes and fees as part of efforts to enhance revenue collections. Speaking at the launch of the new system in Kigali, yesterday, RRA commissioner general Richard Tusabe said the revenue body was optimistic that the new software would see the whole system of filing and payment of local taxes and fees automated to simplify the payment process. An illustration of the Rwanda Automated Local Government Tax Management system website. “We have adjusted our IT systems in the past to include online declaration and payment options for taxpayers. In the same line, it was also necessary to introduce automated systems for payment of local taxes and fees,” he noted. He said the new system will also provide an online payment platform enabling tax payers to make payments from anywhere, thus reducing the time and the cost of doing business. RRA Commissioner General Richard Tushabe (C) speaks to journalists at the launch of the Rwanda Automated Local Government Taxes Management System flanked by the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Local Government Vincent Munyeshyaka (L) and Deputy Commissioner for Decentralised Taxes, Jean Marie Vianney Gakwerere. Furthermore, the system ensures proactive and timely communication between a tax administration and taxpayers through internet-based platforms such as short text messages, alerts and e-mails. “The world in which we live is changing towards automated systems and we don’t want factors like time or distance to be a disincentive for anybody. The new system offers a convenient and simplified way of filing and paying taxes by reducing the time and administrative procedures in the whole process,” Tusabe said. The new system is expected to manage registration of taxpayers and properties, declaration and payment, accounting and reconciliation, audit and enforcement, tax arrears management and tax appeals. Deputy Commissioner for Regions and Decentralized Taxes Jean Marie Vianney Gakwerere speaks to the media yesterday. (All photos by Doreen Umutesi) It will also be used to manage rental income tax, fixed asset tax and trading licences, as well as decentralised entities fees like market fees, birth and marriage certificates. To access the system, taxpayers have to log in to RRA website www.rra.gov.rw, click on online services or district revenues depending on the type of services they want to access. Rwanda Revenue Authority started collecting local taxes on behalf of districts in 2013 due to its more advanced IT facilities and expertise in the collection of taxes. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Local government revenue collection goes online