Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) will today launch activities that will precede celebrations of the 9th Taxpayer’s Day in an effort to strengthen voluntary compliance among taxpayers.

The launching ceremony will be held in Rubavu district, Western Province, under the theme: Choose development, be compliant.

The target for this year’s taxpayer’s day celebration will focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country to exchange views on how best they can be facilitated to develop and hence promote national development.

Mary Baine the Commissioner General for RRA, said that that since most SMEs conduct their businesses upcountry, there was need to come nearer to them in order to exchange ideas on how they can professionally improve on their businesses.

"We want to appreciate compliant taxpayers in the country for their role in building our country and also sensitize those who are not compliant about the benefits of being a compliant taxpayer” Baine said.

"Development of SMEs is a national priority which must be supported by everyone; this taxpayers day will provide a platform for SMEs to express their views freely to the government that will eventually provide solutions to the challenges they face” Baine said.

Baine further explained that this year’s celebration serves as a way of sending a message to all taxpayers, SMEs in particular, that their role in nation-building through paying taxes, regardless of location or the size of their businesses, was very important.

She added that there is a social contract between the government and its citizens which should be fulfilled by both parties saying that RRA wants to be one of such institutions that are more accountable to the public by organizing such events.

The Commissioner General urged compliant taxpayers be vigilant and mobilize non-compliant taxpayers to minimize loss of government revenues and support development goals.

Non-compliant taxpayers, especially those who do not pay Value Added Tax (VAT) or issue VAT invoices to their clients, those involved in forgery of customs documents smuggling, were advised to stop the bad habit since it deprives the country of its resources.

Other activities to mark the ceremony will include community work (Umuganda) where RRA Staff will join local leaders, residents and taxpayers in the district in various developmental activities such as construction of roads where the houses of vulnerable people are located.

RRA will also donate 1,200 Iron sheets to 30 households of vulnerable groups of people that were severely affected by heavy rains in the district.

RRA will also celebrate the Taxpayers Day in other provinces. Expected to attend are high ranking government officials, Private Sector representatives and other regional tax bodies.

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