05 Dec 2023

Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) continues to intensify tax collection and through customs operations to combat smuggling of goods and also through tax audits.

This was said by the BURS General Manager - North, Mr Patrick Mavuma, during the stakeholder engagement workshop held at in Selebi Phikwe on Monday.

Mr Mavuma said BURS carried out tax operations in Selebi Phikwe to address the problem resulting in tax collection amounting to more than P116 000 in the previous financial year as well as more than P113 000 between April and October this year.

He expressed concern about some tax payers who continued to evade tax despite the major strides made by the BURS to tighten the nut surrounding its collection.

He said shortage of tax auditors, debt collection officers and tax investigators, among others, further thwarted their efforts to collect tax.

As such, he urged individuals as well as the business community to avoid evading tax and also avoid being pushed by the BURS to comply with existing tax laws.

“Compliance involves filing tax returns, making a declaration in respect of amount due for accountability as well as payment of amount due or liable for payment,” he said. “Tax returns should report the correct figures so that the client to pays the correct amount.”

He also decried delays by tax payers to submit their returns despite the availability of the online platform aimed at reducing filing hassles.

The Mayor of Selebi Phikwe, Mr Lucas Modimana, said mind-set change must reflect on the BURS systems and processes, thus highlighting the need to revisit the country’s tax administration regime.
Mr Modimana also highlighted the need to approach issues surrounding tax collection with a renewed mindset to enable the country to raise revenue from taxes.

“BURS should be the key player in assisting government to deliver on its promise to eradicate poverty and raise enough revenue to improve the livelihoods of Batswana,” he said. “Countries with the best tax regimes are able to attain economic growth.”

He urged the BURS to intensify tax collections to address evasion issues, particularly in the business community and also called for heavy penalties for tax evasion. Ends