MRA urges taxpayers to utilise Covid incentives
The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has urged the public to maximise usage of incentives and platforms it has put in place to ensure it continues serving taxpayers optimally amid the Covid pandemic.
Among other initiatives, to enhance speedy and safe delivery of tax services in the midst of the crisis, MRA has put a duty waiver on importation of essential goods and the prevention and treatment of Covid.
Importers and exporters also have the option of processing customs transactions online and real time through the use of a customs management system which interfaces with government agencies such as the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services, the Reserve Bank of Malawi and the Malawi Police Service.
In a statement released yesterday to commemorate International Customs Day, MRA says its arrangement that taxpayers be making tax payments online and real time through the E-payment system has eased the payment process and has led to growth of trust among players.
“There is growing usage of the MRA website, www.mra.mw, social media pages of Facebook and Twitter to post up-to-date customs and tax information while directly engaging with the wider public,” reads the statement signed by the tax collector’s commissioner general John Biziwick.
MRA further says, to avoid congestion at the border, it has a pre-clearance facility that allows importers and exporters to submit declarations and supporting documents to customs for processing before the arrival of goods at the border.
Recently, as the second wave of Covid rages, public and private institutions have largely opted for online transactions where necessary to avoid physical contacts which are said to be at the centre of the spread of the virus.
Some offices have been closed for disinfection after employees have tested positive for the virus.
Alick Ponje is a features writer at The Times Group. He graduated from the University of Malawi with a bachelor’s degree in education, majoring in literature in English. Follow him on Twitter @aponje
