Kikuubo traders claim over-taxed
Aug 06, 2008
KIKUUBO traders have critised the Uganda Revenue Authority’s (URA) surplus tax collection, saying they are over-taxed.
By Samuel Balagadde
KIKUUBO traders have critised the Uganda Revenue Authority’s (URA) surplus tax collection, saying they are over-taxed.
However, Allen Kagina, the URA Commissioner General, said the surplus collection was due to increased enforcement at the borders where unscrupulous businesspeople used to smuggle goods into the country.
“We collected sh6b from under-declared goods. Tax compliance has also led increased revenue collections,†Kagina said while officiating at the climax a seven-month tax education awareness campaign for the Kikuubo business community.
Kagina said keeping proper books of account and registration for Value Added Tax (VAT) would protect traders from taxation problems.
“Restructured URA officials listen to taxpayers’ problems. We don’t want to deviate much from you. Roadblocks will greatly reduce if your compliance improves,†she said.
However, Kagina was surprised when the traders said several URA impostors extort money from them by threatening to report them for non payment of taxes.
Patrick Mukiibi, URA’s assistant commissioner for public and corporate affairs, advised the traders to report all tax evasion cases because the culprits inconvenience those who are compliant since they operate in the same market.
Peter Malinga, URA’s commissioner for customs, said most inconveniences the traders face while importing goods were a result of failure to declare their goods.
“You goods spend more time on the way and your consignments are checked more than one once. Also, some goods get damaged, but this done to protect the market and the Government’s revenue,†Malinga said.
Paul Kyeyune, URA’s spokesperson, said tax education clinics would greatly increase revenue collections because many taxpayers learn how to prepare proper books of account.
KIKUUBO traders have critised the Uganda Revenue Authority’s (URA) surplus tax collection, saying they are over-taxed.
However, Allen Kagina, the URA Commissioner General, said the surplus collection was due to increased enforcement at the borders where unscrupulous businesspeople used to smuggle goods into the country.
“We collected sh6b from under-declared goods. Tax compliance has also led increased revenue collections,†Kagina said while officiating at the climax a seven-month tax education awareness campaign for the Kikuubo business community.
Kagina said keeping proper books of account and registration for Value Added Tax (VAT) would protect traders from taxation problems.
“Restructured URA officials listen to taxpayers’ problems. We don’t want to deviate much from you. Roadblocks will greatly reduce if your compliance improves,†she said.
However, Kagina was surprised when the traders said several URA impostors extort money from them by threatening to report them for non payment of taxes.
Patrick Mukiibi, URA’s assistant commissioner for public and corporate affairs, advised the traders to report all tax evasion cases because the culprits inconvenience those who are compliant since they operate in the same market.
Peter Malinga, URA’s commissioner for customs, said most inconveniences the traders face while importing goods were a result of failure to declare their goods.
“You goods spend more time on the way and your consignments are checked more than one once. Also, some goods get damaged, but this done to protect the market and the Government’s revenue,†Malinga said.
Paul Kyeyune, URA’s spokesperson, said tax education clinics would greatly increase revenue collections because many taxpayers learn how to prepare proper books of account.