MRA engages one more gear to interact with new businesses

Businesspersons flocked to Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre on Thursday, 7th April 2016, to directly interface with the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) during a taxation workshop. New entrepreneurs some of them from Cross-border Trader Association, National Association of Business Women (NABW), Economic Empowerment Action Group, Indigenous Businesses Association of Malawi were part of the participants who attended the workshop.

Presentations from Domestic Taxes, Customs and Excise were made to enlighten the entrepreneurs on how to register for tax and its benefits. Addressing the workshop, MRA’s Taxpayer Education Manager, McHizzal Kawanga commended participants for their attendance. He encouraged entrepreneurs and all businesses to always contact MRA offices for clarification and more information regarding the commercial activities.

On malpractices and suspicious conducts raised by the participants, Kawanga said every member of the public should not hesitate but to call for free 847 for those using TNM, Access and Airtel phone and 8000 0847 for those MTL lines. “Those whose tips result in the recovery of revenue would be given a prize ranging from K5, 000 to K500, 000,” said Kawanga.

Domestic Taxes Division, Asumani Nkhoma, explained in detail the benefits of registering for tax, how to prepare basic business accounts, calculation of taxes and the penalties and fines for failure to comply with the law. Mwayiwawo Donda from Customs & Exercise presentation focussed on procedures business people are supposed to follow at the border station when importing or exporting goods. She also urged those who import or export goods to take advantage of the various existing trade agreements such as SADC, COMESA and Malawi –Zimbabwe in order to pay less of no duty at all.

Similar workshops, which are targeting those who have just registered their businesses with the office of the Registrar General, will also be held in Zomba, Mangochi, Kasungu, Lilongwe and Mzuzu. The workshop was attended by over eighty participants who come from within and without Blantyre city and Mwanza.