17th January 2022
Own Correspondent
The Botswana Unified Revenue Service(BURS) Commissioner General Jeanette Chanda Makgolo, used a meet and greet session with the local media to recognize the role played by the media in enhancing transparency and fighting corruption especially by tax evasion.
“Those who are well read may recall the ‘Panama papers’ where the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists(ICIJ) played a significant role in bringing transparency in international taxation by revealing untold and glaring tax evasion cases by prominent people across the globe,” said Jeanette Chanda Makgolo, Commissioner General of Botswana Unified Revenue Service(BURS).
She said, “We look ahead with a heightened sense of urgency and conviction that we must collect revenue collection and do much more in improving domestic revenue mobilization to ensure that this country continues to develop and sustain its citizens.”
The Commissioner General also stressed the desire to address ICT systems related challenges following a public outcry over the BURS ICT systems like Lekgetho Live, which is undermining tax compliance. BURS has therefore taken a decision to establish an independent audit of BURS ICT systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the systems.
BURS is also committed to timely resolution of compliance issues and improve on core values of Botho and Integrity in interacting with clients. An e-mail system has been established dubbed ‘TelltheCG@burs.org.bw,’ to improve accessibility with senior management.
BURS will celebrate International Customs day(ICD) on the 26th of January 2022 to commemorate the vital role of Customs administrations and stakeholder agencies in facilitating seamless movements of goods and services across international borders.
It will allow Customs administrations to showcase various efforts made in gearing towards providing an enhanced flow of goods along the global supply chain.
This year’s theme is ‘Scaling up customs Digital transformation by embracing a data culture and building a Data ecosystem.’ It was revealed that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Peggy Serame has also extended the tax amnesty to 30th June 2022 to allow for more tax payers to benefit from dispensation because only about 18% of eligible entities had taken advantage of opportunity.
“Under this dispensation, taxpayers in arrears will be granted a relief when thee settle the principal amount of debt owed(income tax and VAT) and BURS will in turn write off the interest and penalties,” said Makgolo.
Tax covered by the amnesty include corporate income tax, personal tax, pay as you earn(PAYE), other withholding taxes and Value Added tax(VAT).
