By Irene Kabakama
URA has appointed a 5-member team that will serve as the new Tax Agents Registration Committee (TARC).
The team was unveiled last Friday during an engagement between URA and tax agents. It comprises; the Commissioner General (CG) John Musinguzi, Francis Kamulegeya, a former Country Senior Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Uganda, David Baliraine Kibumba, a seasoned tax professional, Charles Lutimba from the accounting profession, and Georgina Kirabo, a tax and legal professional.
Musinguzi handed each the tools of trade and recognized the role of TARC in bridging the gap between the authority and the tax agents
“I would like to thank the Tax Agents Registration Committee for doing a splendid job. Thank you for accepting to serve,” he said.
The TARC is mandated under Section 7 of the Tax Procedures Code Act to register agents, amend tax agent registration details, cancel registration incase an agent breaches their mandate and also propose policy changes.
Sarah M. Chelangat, the Commissioner Domestic Taxes, welcomed the new team and expressed her gratitude to the outgoing members who served for three years. She commended the founding members for resiliently holding down the committee throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the engagement, the tax agents requested for an extension of the tax waiver relief to benefit more taxpayers. This was noted by the Commissioner General, who expressed a willingness to lobby from the Ministry of Finance.
“We do not want our businesses to close because of the burden of interest and penalties; we are ready to request an extension of Section 40D to ensure that more taxpayers benefit,” he said.
He appreciated the agents for supporting taxpayers with their compliance, adding that there has been growth in domestic revenue. Musinguzi also called for increased collaboration to improve Uganda’s tax-to-GDP ratio.
“The mission of growing our country’s tax to GDP can’t allow us to leave any man behind; we need all hands on deck to execute it. In so doing, we will be able to move from the staggering 14%,” he stated.
