‘BURS exceeds collection targets’

2^nd April 2023

Sello Motseta

Botswana Unified Revenue Service(BURS) today revealed that preliminary accounts indicate that the tax revenue collected as at 31^st March 2024 is P59.566 billion, surpassing the target of P59.199 billion by P367 million (0.62%), it was set by Government.

“This collection will go into the annals of history since it marks the highest figure that BURS has ever attained since its establishment,” say Jeanette C. Makgolo, Commissioner General- Botswana Unified Revenue Service(BURS).

She said, “You will also agree with me that, during this period where macroeconomic conditions are not favourable to realise optimal revenue collection, particularly in the 2^nd and 3^rd quarter of the year where diamond sales plummeted, this collection is not a windfall, but the results of deliberate efforts and hardwork of visionary men and women of BURS, and our key stakeholders.”

According to officials the 31^st of March marks a very important milestone in the calendar of the Botswana Unified Revenue Service and the Government of Botswana. It is a day that marks the end of the financial year.

BURS Domestic tax measures included:

1. establishment of a war room for daily strategistation on revenue drive.
2. robust debt recovery strategies such as our ‘boots on the ground’ operation across various regions, (Gaborone, Francistown, Maun, Central, Chobe,
3. ensuring timely filing, as well as following up on outstanding PAYE and VAT returns,
4. Targeted revenue-generating audits.

On the customs front,

1. Targeted post-clearance audits,
2. Recoveries from outstanding deferred accounts debts,
3. Combating undervaluation,
4. Roadblocks by our Anti-Smuggling Team Unit
5. Utilizing of the pre-clearance facility
6. intensifying border inspections

“As we journey towards attainment of the 2024/25 revenue target of P70.576 billion. Which is an increase of P11.377 billion (19.22%) as compared to the 2023/24 revised budget of P59.199 billion,” said Makgolo.

BURS intends to implement several initiatives aimed at enhancing compliance to continue  to improve efficiency in tax collections. These include the following:

1. Introduction of track and trace technology for excisable goods,
2. Transit monitoring system to prevent diversion and local dumping of transit-declared goods, 
3. Adoption of an electronic VAT billing system
4. taxpayer education to be expanded across the country to foster greater awareness and understanding of tax obligations.