The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) missed its K748.117 billion revenue collection target for the first quarter (Q1) of the 2024-25 financial year, Commissioner General John Biziwick has said.
Biziwick said between April and June 2024, the authority collected K656.488, which is about 12 percent shy of the target.
This represents a K91.629 billion deficit.
Speaking when opening a media training on new tax measures in Blantyre yesterday, Biziwick, however, said the Q1 tax revenue is 41 percent higher than K464.2 billion collected at the same time last year.
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“This performance is mainly due to the persisting foreign exchange scarcity where operations of some of our clients were affected and, therefore, their tax obligations were reduced.
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“Apart from that, there was underperformance on the Value Added Tax (VAT) because we have been having issues with some traders not issuing EFD receipts, something we are looking into,” Biziwick said.
He remained upbeat that the revenue collection body would meet its annual target as systematic measures for the remainder of the year.
Tax expert Emmanuel Kaluluma said tax collection activities are cyclic and the tax collector should not point at symptoms as the cause of failure to meet the target.
“We have taxpayer education, which has to improve and be practical. This is an opportune time that we do not need a microscope to see what the government does with tax revenues but tax officials are shy to put it to the public despite that it can leverage compliance towards payment of taxes,” Kaluluma said.
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Economist Velli Nyirongo said amid optimism to meet the annual target, the 12 percent shortfall is substantial and could have a bearing.
“MRA’s proactive strategy in addressing identified challenges such as foreign exchange shortages and VAT collection issues offers hope for recovery.
“Nevertheless, a revenue shortfall can adversely affect government operations, potentially leading to reduced public spending, delays or scaling back of projects and broader economic impacts on businesses and employment,” Nyirongo said.
Presenting the 2024- 25 national budget to Parliament, Minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda said domestic revenue is estimated at K3.38 trillion.
It represents 18.1 percent of gross domestic product, of which tax revenues are estimated at K3.26 trillion and other revenues have been projected at K126.54 billion.
Total revenue and grants for the fiscal yea
