IFCS: The Southern African Officials Discuss "Tax Collection"

More than thirty officers offices of the tax administration in many countries have participated in a workshop organized by the Africa Regional Technical Assistance Center South (AFRITAC South). These countries are: South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The workshop was led by officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) and the South African Revenue Service.

In an official statement released yesterday on the IMF website, it is stressed that the IMF experts have focused on the fact that well-prepared for the exchange of information systems and procedures can effectively contribute to the achievement of strategies to strengthen the management of taxes and trade facilitation. The leaders of the IMF emphasized, among other things, the use of information from a third party to ensure that the terms of payment by taxpayers are met. They also talked about the use of technology to facilitate the sharing of information, obtaining information for better risk management and compliance with commitments to the IRS and the development plans for disclosure tax purposes.

Participants at the workshop also examined the challenges and opportunities available in the field of tax administration. They were informed of the progress made by the Fiscal Affairs Division of the IMF regarding the development of a computer online platform for the development of a tool for the management of tax revenues. Some 86 countries are involved in the use of this tool.

Officers of the MRA and the South African Revenue Service spoke about their experiences in the use of information from within their organizations, as well as those obtained from other agencies to improve the collection of tax revenues and to bring taxpayers to fulfill their commitments vis-à-vis the tax authorities. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the MRA, Vasdev Hassamal, argued that engaging deeply in the process, the countries of the region have the opportunity to raise the level of tax revenue while helping to trade facilitation commercial.

The coordinator AFRITAC South, Vitaliy Kramarenko, showed that revenue mobilization and trade facilitation are priorities for the countries of Southern Africa. The workshop gave them the opportunity to reflect on information sharing for more effective fiscal management. The workshop also provided an opportunity for members to speak AFRITAC South training opportunities for other officers in the field.