Beware of bogus officers—MRA
The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has warned members of the business community and the public against some conmen who are posing as the tax collecting body’s officers with a view to extort bribes.
MRA says the conmen usually call taxpayers and threaten them that they are aware that the taxpayers concerned are flouting tax laws but are ready to waive the offence and penalty if the taxpayers are willing to send money electronically through mobile money transfer services.
In his statement, MRA Commissioner General Tom Malata indicates that the system is rampant in the four cities of Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu.
“MRA officers do not discuss tax issues and offences with taxpayers over the phone. MRA only uses a telephone call to arrange for a meeting or when making a follow up on payment previously discussed. If you receive a call purportedly from MRA, you should ignore it if the caller makes demands for money to be sent through mobile money service or even personal bank accounts. Request the caller to come to your business premises in person or arrange to meet the officer at an MRA office.
“MRA does not transact tax payment or any other payment through mobile money transfer services or personal bank accounts. The business community is warned not to use mobile money transfer or personal bank accounts to pay taxes due or any related payment,” Malata said.
According to the statement, in some instances, the people in question masquerade as Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFD) inspectors and consequently demand bribes from traders.
“MRA officers, including EFD inspectors, wear identity cards when transacting MRA business. As a taxpayer, you have the right to demand an official MRA identification card from any of our staff visiting you on official duties. The business community is advised to call nearest MRA office to confirm the identity of the officer if still in doubt of the identification provided.
“When a trader commits an EFD offence, an EFD inspector will charge the trader by issuing a notice of penalty relating to the offence committed. EFD inspectors are not allowed to demand cash payment of the penalty. Traders are required to pay the penalty through accredited banks and bring the receipt to MRA as proof of payment,” the statement reads.
Malata said fines and penalties that MRA issues cannot be amended or waived by an MRA officer and waivers are only granted in writing by the Commissioner General of MRA under special circumstances where it has been proven that the taxpayer was not wrong.
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