Civil Society calls for increased sensitisation on land tax

The Coordinator of LandNet Rwanda Chapter, Annie Kairaba, yesterday, attributed the failure for some land owners to collect their title deeds after registration to fear of either paying tax or lease fees.Kairaba, also the Director of Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD), observed that there is confusion among the population about land lease and taxation.She made the remarks during a consultative meeting that brought together local leaders, decision makers, civil society and representatives from Rwanda Natural Resource Authority (RNRA).“According to our survey, there is urgent need of creating awareness about who should pay tax and lease fees, as this is greatly affecting the turn-up of land or property owners to pay their respective fees,” Kairaba said.At the meeting, participants discussed and raised concerns affecting the public on a wide range of land-related issues.Among others, the method used to determine the tax dues raised mixed reactions.Laurence Mukamurangwa, a resident of Gacuriro, Gasabo District, told The Sunday Times that some residents in their settlement were taxed differently despite owning similar houses.Responding to the concern, the Director General of RNRA, Dr. Emmanuel Nkurunziza, explained that although there might be such cases, land or property tax is dependent on the location, size and use of the property.“Land owners in rural areas using their land for farming are charged Rwf 1000 per hector as lease fee only if they own more than two hectors,” Nkurunziza said.He added that the fee is mostly paid by those operating in the urban or trading centres. With taxation, he said that after obtaining and developing the land, government charges tax depending on the value of the property.