African tax authorities meet over revenue mobilisation

Strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation remains a headache that tax collectors on the continent are determined to cure.

South African Revenue Services (SARS) will host African Tax Administration Forum’s (ATAF) annual meeting on tax and bring together heads of tax administration from Africa, to discuss a range of tax topics including strengthening of domestic revenue mobilization, end of this month.

The discussion, to be held under the theme: Africa Rising: Sustainable Growth through Revenue Mobilisation, will also discuss combatting illicit financial flows, institutional reforms, use of technology, policy decisions for sustainable development and the global landscape on taxation.

ATAF Communications Coordinator,

Refilwe Pitjeng said the event will bring together heads of tax administration from Africa, policymakers from ministries of finance, parliamentarians, member countries of ATAF, thought leaders on tax, international organisations, academia, civil society organisations and business representatives.

Meanwhile, Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) has so far collected close to P33 billion, about 56 percent of this year’s target of P60.4 billion.

Last year, the Revenue Service exceeded their set target of over P47 billion to bag a total collection of P49 billion. Commissioner General, Jeanette Makgolo expressed disappointment that by September end, the initial deadline for returns filing, only 15 986 of the 70 000 taxpayers expected to file returns submitted their returns.