After Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA)’s introduction of new directives to professionalise and regulate people and firms that represent or advise taxpayers, a tax expert has weighed in on what the reform means and how it enhances transparency and safety in the taxation process. Introduced early last month, the move aims to align Rwanda’s tax system more closely with international standards, in addition to curbing the problem of unqualified people posing as tax consultants. ALSO READ: Tax on AirBnB, Netflix: RRA ‘taking steps’ as implementation nears Under the new regulations, RRA will license and monitor all professionals who assist businesses and people in preparing and submitting tax returns, representing them during audits and appeals, and offering expert guidance on tax laws. Speaking to The New Times, Angello Musinguzi, the Tax and Regulatory Partner at Garnet Partners Ltd, a consulting company, said many people sometimes call themselves tax advisors, yet they have never studied taxation, accounting, or finance. “As a result, they end up giving wrong advice to taxpayers, which later costs businesses heavily during audits,” he noted. “RRA is right to say these professionals must be regulated and licensed. If an advisor is found guilty of negligence or unethical conduct, they should be punished, and their license revoked,” he added. To qualify, professionals must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Law, Taxation, Finance, Economics, Commerce, Business Studies, or Management, with at least five years of experience in tax matters. They must also present a valid tax clearance certificate, criminal record, EBM usage certificate, and proof of payment of a non-refundable Rwf 100,000 application fee. ALSO READ: RRA cracks whip on businesses snubbing electronic invoicing system “Properly trained and ethical advisors will help taxpayers pay the right amount of tax and avoid unnecessary penalties. It also ensures the government collects what is due, boosting national revenue,” said Musinguzi. According to the new rule, those applying to work as partners must submit documents for each partner. Approved applicants will receive a professional identification and be listed publicly by RRA. The license to operate will be valid for three years, renewable upon meeting all the requirements. However, RRA reserves the right to suspend or revoke a license if a professional fails to comply with the directives or engages in unprofessional conduct. “My advice to taxpayers is simple, don’t go for cheap or unverified advisors. Always check the list of qualified professionals from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda before hiring anyone,” said Musinguzi. Some business owners, especially international ones working in Rwanda, have found themselves grappling with the country’s tax procedures, and some believe having professional representatives will fix this problem. “When I started my business in Kigali, I honestly had no idea how complex the tax system could be. Simple mistakes like missing a filing deadline, miscalculating VAT, or failing to issue an EBM invoice on time would attract penalties,” said Amaka Osakwe, a Nigerian entrepreneur operating a hair beauty business in Kigali. ALSO READ: Survey shows 15% increase in voluntary tax compliance “I was paying fines almost every quarter, not because I didn’t want to comply, but because I didn’t understand all the procedures,” she added. “I truly believe hiring a certified advisor can change everything. They help you understand which expenses are deductible, how to file correctly, and even inform you about incentives you might not know exist.” RRA said the new framework aligns with Rwanda’s broader effort to modernise tax administration, enhance taxpayer trust, and build a transparent system that encourages voluntary compliance.
