Uganda Revenue Authority has commenced discussions with stakeholders to develop a new Corporate plan that will guide its operations for the next five years.

The consultative meetings, according to Tina Kaidu, the Assistant Commissioner for Strategy and Risk, are vital, as the feedback will assist URA to develop an informed strategy and assess the areas where it has succeeded.

“By gathering feedback and identifying challenges from stakeholders, URA aims to address pertinent issues, opportunities, and threats in the environment for the new corporate plan,” Kaidu said as she addressed taxpayers at the Sheraton Hotel yesterday.

Taxpayers suggested improvements to various systems and processes ranging from TIN registration to payment systems and the tax education approach.

Otim Ronald from Stabex, for example, urged URA to work with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to address the issue of work permits.

He explained that his employees are often asked by immigration officials to provide their Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) to obtain work permits, while URA requires work permits to issue TINs.

“This circular requirement has resulted in non-compliance and audits for under-declaration,” Otim argued.

On taxpayer education, Fred Balondwa from Kyagalanyi Coffee tipped URA to also focus on university students and enhance their tax knowledge before they become employed.

Michael Masembe, the Ag. Manager of Tax Education welcomed the suggestion and revealed that URA has engaged University heads under the Vice Chancellors Forum on the same.

“We agreed that URA will provide textbooks to assist in teaching taxation, as some institutions were teaching based on Kenya’s tax system,” he explained.

While taxpayers acknowledged improvements in URA’s systems, they asked the taxman to beef it up with timely responses to their queries.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Airtel, Stabex, Vision Group, Vivo Energy, Kyagalanyi Coffee, and the Mandela Group of Companies, among others.

By Irene Kabakama