Deduction of Pay As You Earn (PAYE), effecting Withholding Tax (WHT) and remittances of the Tevet Levy took centre-stage when the Malawi Revenue Authority conducted a Taxation Workshop for members of the Independent Schools Association of Malawi (ISAMA).

The workshop, which is part of the ongoing ‘Everyone Must Pay Tax’ Campaign being run by MRA, was held on Wednesday 8th March, 2017 at Young Ambassadors School in Blantyre.

MRA Head of Corporate Affairs Steven Kapoloma commended ISAMA for voluntarily engaging MRA to seek clarification on various issues regarding taxation.

“The purpose of the ‘Everyone Must Pay Tax’ Campaign is to make sure that we reach out to all types of taxpayers. ISAMA members have done the right thing because through this workshop MRA will know the challenges they are facing when it comes to tax compliance. This will empower us to effectively assist them to understand the law and ensure that they pay taxes in time.

“We are encouraging individuals and all businesses to register for tax and timely submit their returns. The submission of returns should be routine as it creates a history for taxpayer,” said Kapoloma who led a team of six officials from the Authority to the workshop.

He said the ‘Everyone Must Pay Tax’ Campaign is bearing fruits as those who were not aware of their tax obligations are coming forward to register and paying their due taxes.

ISAMA president Joseph Patel said the interface with MRA is crucial as some have just started their businesses and others still have knowledge gaps in taxation.

“The ISAMA members attending this meeting have been drawn from the South-West Education division. We have to admit that many are not fully aware of their tax obligations. This workshop will assist members to share taxation information and we are grateful to MRA for making time to be here,” Patel said.

Detailed presentations were made for Domestic Taxes by Lilian Nyirenda and Customs and Excise by Jacob Kamtambe.  

The private school owners were encouraged to take interest in their tax obligations and financial transactions by not heavily depending on their staff in order to rule-out presentation of altered or wrong information.  

Under the ‘Everyone Must Pay Tax’ Campaign, MRA has so far met the civil society, SMEs, the media and cross-border traders. More taxation workshops with other various business groups and sectors are expected to be conducted.