Presumptive tax is an advance payment of Income Tax for small business whose annual turnover is less K12.5 million. Presumptive Tax has replaced Turnover Tax (TOT). Presumptive Tax intends to improve compliance of the informal sector by making it easy for them to know how much income taxes they are supposed to pay in a year without the requirement of keeping any books of accounts. Taxpayers under the Presumptive Tax will be required to pay their income tax either once a year or quarterly.
Presumptive tax on turnover tax shall not apply to the following:
Annual turnover |
Rate |
Income not exceeding K4,000,000 |
K0 |
Income above K4,000,000 but not exceeding K7,000,000 |
K110,000.00 |
Income above K7,000,000 but not exceeding K10,000,000 |
K170,000.00
|
Income above K10,000,000 but not exceeding K12,500,000 |
K225,000.00 |
Any business whose annual turnover is less K12.5 million per year is liable to register for Presumptive Tax.
However, a taxpayer may, by notice in writing addressed to the Commissioner General, elect not to be subject to presumptive tax on turnover, in which case the other provisions of this Act shall apply to such person.
Registration for Presumptive Tax is free of charge. Taxpayers can register for Presumptive Tax through Msonkho Online or by visiting the nearest Domestic Taxes office. MRA issues a Taxpayer Identification Number (TPIN) on registration that should be used on any correspondence with the Authority.
Presumptive Tax is due quarterly at the rates specified under Presumptive Tax rates.
Taxpayers can submit their Presumptive tax returns at their nearest Domestic Taxes offices such as Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Zomba, Karonga, Mangochi, Dedza, Mzimba, Mulanje, Salima, Balaka, Kasungu and Dwangwa.
Taxpayers can also submit their tax returns at Customs & Excise stations at Chitipa, Nsanje, Mwanza, Liwonde, Chiponde and Muloza.
Taxpayers can also submit Presumptive Tax returns through email to: headofficefiling@mra.mw and other email addresses . MRA is currently implementing Msonkho Online which would allow taxpayers to submit returns online. Msonkho Online is a computer-based platform which allows online tax transactions.