The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has equipped small and medium enterprises (SMEs) around Salima Township with tax education to enable them to make informed decisions on their tax affairs and obligations.

Taxpayer Services Manager Nancy Mwale and the Station Manager for Salima Domestic Taxes Office Peter Zumba equipped the SMEs with tax education during a taxation workshop in Salima on Monday 19th December, 2016.

Mwale said the tax law requires owners of businesses, both individuals and companies, to register for tax purposes regardless of the size of business or location.

“Registration for taxes is free and can be done at any nearest MRA office. MRA issues a Taxpayer Identification Number (TPIN) on registration that should be used on any correspondence with the Authority,” she told the gathering.

Mwale said once registered SMEs are supposed to remit income tax, Pay as you earn (PAYE), Withholding Tax or Value Added (VAT) and she demonstrated how each tax type is calculated.

She also briefed the SMEs on VAT registration, Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs) and how they can get a Withholding Tax Exemption Certificate and a Tax Clearance Certificate.

Mwale appealed to the SMEs to use the Tips-Off Anonymous Service to report cases of fraud, corruption or any malpractices by dialing toll-free 847 for TNM, Access, Airtel or 8000 0847 for MTL and stand a chance to get a reward.

In his remarks, Zumba appealed to the SMEs to visit the Salima Domestic Taxes Office to get any tax information they may require or to complain if they feel they had been aggrieved.

“My office is always open and we will be able to assist you. If you have a complaint, you should also come to my office and if we can’t address your issue, it would be escalated to Head Office,” he told the SMEs.

The SMEs commended MRA for organizing the taxation workshop and hoped that the Authority will be holding similar workshops in future to educate them on taxation and address issues affecting them.

By Wadza Otomani