MRA dangles cash rewards for VAT compliance
Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has moved to boost revenue collection by encouraging value-added tax (VAT)-registered traders to issue electronic fiscal device (EFD) receipts at all times.
Through a campaign dubbed Kuiphula ndi Lisiti Langa, MRA is dangling an instant reward of K50 000 to people who report traders who do not issue an EFD receipt for any transaction made. Whistleblowers should call 0885514939 or 0885514934.
The reward is 10 percent of the K500 000 fine for a trader who fails to issue an EFD receipt for every transaction, in line with Section 46 of the VAT Act.
Speaking on Tuesday in Blantyre, MRA deputy commissioner general for revenue Henry Ngutwa said the campaign will initially start in the central business district (CBD) of Blantyre and Limbe before extending to Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Zomba CBDs a week later.
He said: “In a way, we are trying to send a message that MRA cannot do it alone. Remember, we are rebuilding this nation and we are doing it together.
“At the heart of growing the nation’s socio-development sector is revenue collection which deserves concerted efforts from all stakeholders.”
On his part, MRA head of corporate affairs Steve Kapoloma urged buyers to be vigilant in checking their receipts.
He said MRA is aware that some traders issue EFD receipts that do not reflect what has been purchased while others do not issue receipts at all.
MRA was tasked to collect K1.116 trillion in the 2020/21 financial year, which is 13.7 percent of the country’s nominal gross domestic product pegged at K8.1 trillion.
EFDs were introduced in the country in March 2014.
