MRA ENGAGES CCAP BLANTYRE SYNOD ON TAX ISSUES

As one way of enhancing voluntary tax compliance, the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) recently made a tax presentation to senior officials of the CCAP Blantyre Synod at Grace Bandawe Conference Centre in Blantyre.

The engagement focused on clarifying the various tax incentives the church is entitled to as well as their tax obligations.

Opening the meeting which was designed to discuss quarterly financial reports from the synod, Reverend Anderson Juma, the General Secretary, commended MRA for coming to the meeting.

He said that the church extended an invitation to MRA to enable them clarify tax issues including the incentives the church can enjoy and the procedures to follow when making such applications.

"As a church, we sometimes apply for tax waivers. Sometimes our applications are honoured while at times they are not. So, we would like MRA to educate us on the right procedures to follow when submitting such applications,’’ pleaded Reverend Anderson Juma.

Speaking on behalf of MRA, Mc Hizzal Kawanga, Manager Taxpayer Education, emphasized the need for the church and MRA to work together for overall national economic development.

He added that MRA recognizes the CCAP Blantyre Synod as key partner in national development and that is why the Authority accepted their invitation to present tax issues at their meeting.

‘’While as a church you can enjoy numerous tax incentives or waivers, you have an obligation to pay taxes when due if you run businesses and that is what we are here for,’’ said Kawanga.

The meeting brought together seventy-two synod administrators, finance officers, presbytery clerks and moderators from the corners of the Southern region.

BY EDGAR MPELEPELE