The Namibia Revenue Agency (NAMRA) has engaged farmers in Windhoek on the importance of tax compliance, urging them to submit accurate returns and settle their tax obligations within the prescribed deadlines.
The meeting also gave farmers an opportunity to raise concerns about communication, delayed responses to tax queries and outstanding refunds.
NamRA says timely payments and accurate tax returns are essential to meeting tax obligations; farmers were encouraged to file their returns and pay taxes within the required timeframes.
The engagement also highlighted Section 68 of the Income Tax Act, which empowers NamRA to issue estimated assessments when necessary to determine a taxpayer's liability.
NAMRA's manager for Audits, Return Processing and Refund Verifications is Richard Mbuende.
"The issue of payments. We understand the economy of the country. So, however, in terms of our obligations, payments must be done in time. Because payments are a result of us having made a profit, and we should pay based on that profit. So we encourage farmers to make payments on time. We encourage farmers to go and file on time. And also, most importantly, as we mentioned in the engagement, if they don't make payments on time, their payments are in interest. That's why we encourage them to partake in the tax amnesty. That's one way to encourage farmers to comply with our tax laws. So we encourage them through the tax amnesty and also at the same time through our stakeholder engagements."
Farmers also raised concerns about communication surrounding stakeholder engagements, particularly the timing and delivery of invitations.
They further highlighted delays in responses to tax-related queries, especially regarding outstanding refunds and when payments can be expected.
"Ask the revenue offers, why don't we go and automate these systems? We cannot come in standing queues. And number one, went to that partner. We are. We have an automated system. You have the right to register as an e-filer. Then you have access to everything. You can see what you owe. You can see how many returns of yours are not processed yet. You see how many are processed. You see what you have paid. You see what the payment that you have made is, whether that payment is captured. All those things that we can see inside, you can see from your side, from the comfort of your own home," added NAMRA's
NAMRA's Manager for Audit and Compliance, Vivian De Koe.
The engagement allowed NamRA to clarify tax requirements while providing farmers with a platform to seek answers on issues affecting their tax affairs.
The concerns raised underscore the need for effective communication and timely feedback, particularly for taxpayers awaiting updates on refunds and other unresolved tax matters.