Revenue Authority ends illegal tax exemptions to boost revenue
Author: Golda Charles | Published: 51 minutes ago
South Sudan Revenue Authority Commissioner General Moun Deng Ajuet. Photo courtesy of the South Sudan Revenue Authority.
The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) says it has ended illegal tax exemptions as part of efforts to increase government revenue and stop revenue leakages.
Speaking to customs officers and members of the organized forces in Nimule on Friday, Commissioner General Moun Deng Ajuet said only tax exemptions provided for under the law will be allowed.
He said legal tax exemptions apply only under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) for the United Nations, international organizations and humanitarian agencies, and under the Vienna Convention for accredited diplomatic missions.
The Commissioner General accused some contractors of abusing the system by importing vehicles and other goods under the names of people or institutions entitled to tax exemptions in order to avoid paying taxes.
He warned that such practices will no longer be tolerated.
“From the 6th of July, illegal tax exemptions are over. There will be no more tax exemptions for contractors or any citizens attempting to misuse the system. We want to collect the revenue because our country needs resources,” he said.
The Commissioner for Customs, John Mading Bol, said customs officials have been directed to fully enforce the presidential order.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner for Customs in Nimule, Malith Jacob Apiu, said illegal tax exemptions had reduced revenue collection because many companies avoided paying taxes through exemption arrangements.
He expressed hope that government revenue will increase following the cancellation of the unlawful exemptions.
On July 6, President Salva Kiir established a high-level committee chaired by the Minister of East African Community Affairs, Gen. Pieng Deng Kuol, to review and cancel all tax exemptions granted outside the law.
The committee is also mandated to recommend legal action against public officials, companies or individuals found to have issued, facilitated or benefited from unlawful tax waivers.