Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has again extended the deadline for tax declaration and payment to 29th February 2020, according to a statement. The grace period was extended again following challenges faced by taxpayers including network issues, RRA management said. The taxes to be paid include property tax that is paid for immovable properties such as houses, land and land parcels as well as rental income tax that is declared and paid for the year of 2019 and trading license paid for the year of 2020 that are always paid in January. “The management of Rwanda Revenue Authority informs all taxpayers concerned with property tax for the year of 2019, trading license for 2020 and rental income for 2019 that the deadline to declare and pay that tax, that was slated for 31st January 2020, has been extended to 29th February 2020,” the statement which was signed by Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwari, the Commissioner General of RRA reveals. Tax payers were also urged to declare and pay on time before the deadline by using ICT based system. “This 3004 toll free number is available for taxpayers to call in case they face any difficulties.” The management of RRA said that the deadline was extended to facilitate taxpayers. “After assessing the situation, challenges and the request from many taxpayers, we extended the deadline. Indeed RRA does not strive to impose fines but seeks collaboration to build the country through effective tax declaration and payment. Extending the deadline will help taxpayers not become victims of fines,” an official of RRA said. Taxpayers were also reminded that they will incur fines if they miss the latest deadline. We have realised that many taxpayers rush to declare and pay on the last day, something that slows the network system. That is why we increased servers but still people shouldnt wait to pay on the last day, RRA management explained. The RRA management said the diaspora can use RRA website and if they face issues they can call toll free number +250788185500 for help and if the system totally fails they can seek ways to reach RRA offices for help. Tax registration and declaration are resultant of a 2018 law determining the sources of revenue and property of decentralized entities Ernest Karasira, the Deputy Commissioner for region and centralized tax earlier enlightened on steps for declaration and payment of the taxes. The first step is to register to pay the tax. After registering, the system sends an SMS to a taxpayer’s mobile number showing them their Tax Identification Number and password. The next step is to declare and pay. During this time, taxpayers can use our website, RRA.GOV.RW. Under the “pay district revenues” tab as well as “Taxes” there is a provision to enter one’s Tax Identification Number and password to make declarations. All taxes one is registered for can be found on the site and the system automatically calculates the tax you have to pay. The system creates a declaration form which one can use for payment. This document shows RRA reference number which is key and can be used to pay taxes via various mediums including bank, mobile money, MOBICASH and online banking among others. Once a payment is made upon the reference number, a confirmation message is received within 5 minutes or so. Those who are abroad and have a TIN number and password can declare and pay from anywhere as long as they can access RRA website while locals with limited digital skills can visit the nearest RRA offices in different sectors where they receive assistance on the process or alternatively they can visit Internet cyber cafes since they have been trained to support taxpayers.
