The Malawi Revenue Authority recently conducted workshops with personnel responsible for preparation of tax returns for their organizations’ and clients. The workshops took place in Zomba, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Blantyre.

The main objective of the workshops was to enhance a collaborative working relationship and submission of appropriate and quality tax returns that have supporting documentation in order to improve tax compliance.

During the meetings the tax return preparers were delighted with the engagement and requested MRA to frequently conduct similar meetings to close some knowledge and skills gaps they have in preparing tax returns.

“We commend MRA for these meeting. It’s important that we meet now and again. Please, make sure you also extend these meetings to taxpayers since it is not easy to always convince clients when handling their tax affairs.,” commented a participant in Zomba.

Another participant in Lilongwe also echoed the same sentiments and urged MRA to consider conducting such workshops every quarter.

In his remarks, the Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Taxes - Audit, Steve Elisa, said MRA will continue to engage various stakeholders including return preparers as it is the only way the Authority can achieve a collaborative working relationship.

He added that there was need to work hand in hand with return preparers and exchange notes because MRA heavily rely on accurate tax returns.

During the workshops, Joshua Longwe and William Chagona, made presentation on ethics, tax return submission and TCCs submission and among other things expounded on forms to file when submitting a return, critical areas on VAT and income tax returns.

BY THOKOZANI CHIOTCHA