MRA TO ROLL OUT ESKORT SYSTEM UPGRADE

The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) is expected to roll out the implementation of Eskort Audit Support Upgrade, which transitions the system from a standard to a professional. This will commence in January 2025. Large Taxpayer Office (LTO) Manager Dziwani Fatch, announced the roll out of the system upgrade during a series of consultative meetings MRA conducted in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu with taxpayers that operate under LTO.

He explained that Eskort, a Computer-Assisted Audit Tool (CAAT), will serve as the backbone of MRA’s tax audit operations that will enable auditors to manage case files, execute audits and analyze risks.  He added that the professional-level upgrade will enhance its functionalities thus allowing greater efficiency and flexibility in managing taxpayer information.

“The system can interface with other systems and will eventually provide a platform for taxpayers in future,’’ said Fatch adding that an audit case will hold all data related to a taxpayer including reports, notes and other relevant information.

He went on to say that time registration will also be incorporated for every process including approvals, ensuring that all audits are standardized and that the system reduces the time run for concluding audits. This will allow taxpayers to focus more on running their businesses.

The new system once operational will offer enhanced flexibility by accessing data from various formats such as databases, PDFs, text files, CSV and Excel and will further integrate with taxpayers’ systems via an IP address.

BY WADZA OTOMANI