Nyarugenge district recognises best taxpayers

Nyarugenge district has recognised eight outstanding taxpayers for the year 2012-2013.The taxpayers received certificates from the district in an event at Nyabugogo opposite the National Taxi Park, yesterday. The certificates were handed over by the Kigali City vice mayor in-charge of Economic Affairs, Alphonse Nzeyimana.The district mayor, Solange Mukasonga, said those recognised are “good examples the business community should emulate.”“When you pay your taxes on time, you operate without any challenge or inconvenience. This will also result to keeping your clients unlike when your customers come just to find your business closed,” she said.The event, which mainly attracted business operators in the district, served as a reminder to taxpayers to respect the March 31 deadline for paying annual profit tax. Profit tax is 30 per cent for corporate organisations, while other firms pay depending on their annual net turn-over. Taxpayers who fail to meet the deadline are fined depending on how long it takes them to remit taxes after March 31.“This [defaulting] is very bad in a sense that it not only affects the customer, but also the business operator because they will be required to pay more than they are meant to pay in fines and arrears,” Mukasonga said.The mayor said recognising the best taxpayers is one of the ways the district is undertaking to encourage and educate taxpayers of the need to meet their obligations.There is always a tendency of taxpayers rushing at the last minute to remit taxes at Rwanda Revenue Authority, which sometimes does not work out due to high turn up and eventually leaves many trapped.Mattias Dukuziyaturemye, one of the recognised taxpayers, urged fellow businessmen to pay their taxes on time, saying this has saved him fines.“I know very well why I must pay taxes. I, therefore, make it an obligation to pay so that I keep my business operating to avoid losing my clients,” he said.The Director of Domestic Taxes at RRA, Celestin Bumbakali, reminded those present of the benefits and need to pay taxes.“It is these taxes that government must use in providing basic services to its population, so paying taxes is contributing to the country’s development,” he said.