By Elizabeth Nakiru and photography by Irene Kabakama, Media Management
URA is bench marking on the Voluntary disclosure (VD) program for Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) from His Majesty Revenue and Customs (HMRC), United Kingdom technical team. The program’s aim is to give an opportunity to resident persons to voluntarily declare their tax affairs to URA unprompted.
HMRC has a similar program which is being implemented in the UK and it is successful hence the benchmark to ensure that the same is replicated in Uganda by the business policy team of URA. This will be done through a Memorandum of understanding that was signed between URA and HMRC in 2020.
The four-delegate team from UK provided guidance to the URA team on the identification of the target audience, the behavioral change message/ information to be conveyed, the medium of reach and benefits of the program. This will play a key role in enhancing tax compliance among the taxpayers community.
“A program that addresses the mindset and changes people is where we should put emphasis. We want to see change in the tax paying culture of Ugandans as well as improve the collecting efforts of the taxman with the activation of the voluntary disclosure program,’’ said John Musinguzi, the Commissioner General of URA.
Currently, the program is being implemented in Uganda where a taxpayer voluntarily applies for the program and receives a certificate thereafter. Some of the benefits of the program include avoidance of paying accumulated interest and penalties, providing a fresh start for the taxpayer, and opening room for dialogue with URA.
Leslie Ennin, the program manager HMRC said, “we would like to identify what support you need so that we can provide technical guidance in the delivery of this program.’’ While Ian Black, a technical expert commended the URA team for their understanding, knowledge, and capabilities of implementing the program despite its challenges.
The UK team also included Lynne Shahkarami, a technical expert and Gareth Morgan from the His Majesty Revenue and Customs.
