UPPA President Mr.Ibanda Mugabi listens the Assistant Commissioner on Tax Education at URA.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Uganda Revenue Authority has promised to organise more trainings for journalists about taxation and their mandate in their journey to mobilising resources for the implementation of service delivery in Uganda.
Myra Ochwo the Assistant Commissioner on Tax Education at URA told journalists during a media training for members of Uganda Parliamentary Press Association at the URA head offices in Nakawa.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
“We are very glad to work with you because you are a medium through which we communicate, therefore its crucial that we train you about our mandate and the taxes we collect from the public.”
Ochwo revealed that this was more than eye opener but also an extension of a deeper engagement with the parliamentary reporters who are tasked with breaking down the tax language to the general public .
UPPA Members with t Managers in a group Photo.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Uganda Revenue Authority officials urged business owners Thursday to notify the tax body immediately upon closing a business to prevent the accumulation of penalties and interest from unfiled returns.
Hasfa Seguya ,the supervisor for Tax education for Central region.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Simon Esunget ,the manager at the URA Document Processing Centre is seen during the media training.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
UPPA President Mr.Ibanda Mugabi also working with NBS ,the Association’s Sacco chairperson Lucy Lapot,Myra Ochwo, the URA Assistant Commissioner on Tax Education and Ronald Kabuubi Senior, the Chief editor of KMA Updates in a group Photo.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The Assistant Commissioner, Public and Corporate Affairs, URA with Hafsa and Esumet.
Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The Assistant Commissioner, Public and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kalumba Robert with Hafsa and Esumet.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
During a stakeholder engagement with the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association at URA headquarters, tax education expert Hafsah Seguya said penalties often arise when taxpayers go silent without formal notice. Even businesses that are struggling, loss-making or have collapsed are required by law to file tax returns.
When your business is down, approach URA to discuss your situation and enter into a payment plan if needed, rather than waiting for enforcement, Seguya said.
Hasfa Seguya ,the supervisor for Tax education for Central region asked the media to report objectively about the role of tax compliance by the public noting that for the public to demand for service delivery they should also fulfil their obligation of paying taxes.
She explained that URA will not hesitate to enforce compliance from tax defaulters and evaders however communication through the media was very key to make them aware about their responsibility.
She briefed the media about the taxes URA is supposed to collect including excise duties on sugar,fuel,cooking oil,cement among other taxes like Income tax,Pay as you earn(PAYE) which are established by an Act of parliament .
Simon Esunget ,the manager at the URA Document Processing Centre asked the media to mobilise the public on compliance with the right paperwork before payment of tax noting that this will reduce delays and speed up clearance of their goods at the border points .
Esunget assured journalists that URA had established a single customs territory to reduce on non -tarriff barriers including bureaucracy,Hidden taxes and inconstent application of rules across member states with in the East African Customs union where Uganda,Kenya,Tanzania,Rwanda,Burundi and South Sudan and DRC (Congo ) were parties to the treaty.
Esunget also warned traders about misdeclaration of goods ,late filing of tax returns about their companies hence URA would not hesitate to penalise them for causing delays with tax compliance.
The media training by URA comes at a time when journalists are left with a few months to the Budget reading in June where a number of taxes proposed by government on essential goods would be communicated to the public.
Esunget reminded the public that paying taxes is a national obligation necessary for the government to provide essential services. He clarified that while there have been rumors regarding the taxation of human remains from abroad, the tax body does not tax bodies, though they are restricted items for export.
Media representatives at the meeting encouraged the URA to expand its civic engagement programs to better inform the public on the importance of tax compliance. Seguya said the tax body remains committed to partnering with the media to enhance taxpayer education
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