MASINDI – Political and business leaders from Masindi Municipality have asked Uganda Revenue Authority [URA] to hold more tax education drives if the citizens are to pay their taxes willingly.
They made the call last Thursday while meeting Sarah Chelangat, URA commissioner for domestic taxes who was in the area at the invitation of Ronald Businge Kyomuhendo, the mayor Masindi Municipality.
Kyomuhendo invited Chelangat to talk about how best Masindi businessmen can pay their taxes.
“It’s not that these people don’t want to pay taxes but they lack information on the taxes they are supposed to pay. Most businesspeople are ignorant about the taxes to pay. You need to intensify sensitisation drives to help them understand more,” said Kyomuhendo during a meeting attended by Masindi Municipal Council officials and the business community.
Kyomuhendo noted that about a month ago, URA officials closed people’s shops without engaging them first.
“We understand that paying tax is an obligation by everyone but it shouldn’t be tax that is forcing one out of business. The people have to be handled with humanity. There has been a gap in communication and information dissemination but I am optimistic that after having this meeting, things won’t remain the same,” explained Kyomuhendo.
David Byensi, the managing director Smart Start Industries which produces spirits decried the high taxes levied on them despite the high operation costs.
“High taxes have forced many people out of business. Businesses are closing hence people are losing jobs. When I close, yes, I lose but government also loses. Some taxes are imposed on assumptions, not assessment which affects us negatively,” Byensi noted.
He also underscored the need for tax education, saying that most businessmen are ignorant of taxes imposed on them, adding, “They see people coming demanding for different taxes which they have never heard about.”
“Tax education is very necessary to the people. You also need to always approach us in a friendly manner. Some of us develop pressure when we see revenue people because of the approach. If there’s no sensitisation, we are creating an environment that is unfriendly,” he said.
Isaac Bongmin, the LCIII chairman Central Division in Masindi Municipality said that sometimes URA suffocates the local governments while collecting taxes.
“As local governments, we announce when we are going to collect taxes but to my dismay, URA advances first. When we come as a division, we collect nothing. I suggest that we give each other a period while collecting these taxes,” Bongmin said.
Deogratius Katerega, the regional manager URA Bunyoro apologised for all the mistakes made by their officials.
“We apologise for where we have gone wrong and we are ready to improve. Always come to our office for more information. In case we send you a message, don’t ignore it. Some of you are adamant. You don’t respond to our communication. That is what causes problems. Our office is a public office, which should be accessed by everyone. We are ready for you,” explained Katerega.
He also emphasised the issue of record keeping by the business people noting that this helps URA to determine the right amount of tax one should pay.
Sarah Chelangat implored businessmen to always seek information regarding taxes. “Always seek information regarding tax. You don’t need to sleep on duty. Visit the URA website such that you are able to access all the information. As you grow in business, you need to grow your knowledge about taxes,” she advised.
She said government will provide better services only when people pay taxes, adding that people must be able to pay taxes to enable the government run its businesses.
She promised to intensify tax sensitisation drives across the country to enable people to get informed about the different taxes URA collects.
https://thecooperator.news/south-sudanese-fish-sacco-decries-exorbitant-ura-taxes/
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