Document validation, E-payments earn MRA the innovation award

As technology advances by each passing day, ICT professionals in the country have recognised Malawi Revenue Authority as the Most Innovating entity in the public sector.

The Most Innovating Public Sector Award was presented by the Vice President right Honourable Dr. Saulos Chilima during the annual conference of ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) conducted from 6th to 7th October in Mangochi.

In an interview, ICTAM president Wisely Phiri said MRA was awarded for the introduction of exceptional services that have saved many organisations and individuals’ time and money.

“The introduction of E-payments, Document Validation and Quick Response (QR) codes is assuring many members of the general public that right amounts of moneys are paid promptly for tax. This is cost effective because time spent on queues is now invested elsewhere productively,” said Phiri.

He said MRA is making an impact in having more players on the local economy to do business using electronic transactions which is commendable even in the perspective of the financial sector.

“In addition to this, the instant verification of MRA documents using the QR codes is a lifesaver to both the business and public sector because we are assured that transactions are being conducted using legitimate papers. This is a positive progress and no-one will now dupe people using fake documents,” said Phiri.

MRA’s Director of ICT Max Mlomba received the award on behalf of the Authority with a promise to sustain convenient tax services using technology.

“I applaud MRA members of staff who are persistently making sure that tax services are always available using latest technologies. The award is very encouraging and we will move with time to ensure wide access of MRA services for national economic benefits,” he said.

The E-Payments service is available on MRA’s website: www.mra.mw under the MyTax Online tab while the validation platform is accessible at http://www.mra.mw/validation/. The QR code is visible on MRA documents and people scan it using a QR Code mobile app and it displays the URL for the document details.

The validation code comprises a 14-digit number and to verify authenticity of the Authority’s document one just has to dial *915# using Airtel or TNM mobile phones and follow a series of instructions.

During the same weekend, MRA also received another award of recognition from the Nation Publications Limited for participating in this year’s Mothers Fun Run.

The Authority’s services have caught the eye of many, in 2014 MRA also received a Moving with Times Award from the Free Expression Institute (FEI) after topping quasi-governmental and parastatal organisations in constantly providing new information using its website.

The MRA website which also harbours the E-Payments platform has some interactive functions such as Duty and PAYE calculators.

MRA is also very active in other online arenas such as Facebook and Twitter where the public directly engages the Authority on various taxation issues.

BY HENRY MCHAZIME