Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), a tax collection agency, has partnered with Orient Bank and Warid Telecom to create a mobile-money tax payment solution set to help small taxpayers cut costs.
Speaking at the launch of Mobile money tax innovation in Kampala, Uganda, the URA commissioner general Allen Kagina said the app that targets small tax payers is expected to enable the agency collect taxes as well as enable the taxpayers cut costs.
“The solution is mainly for the busy taxpayers. It is aimed to simplify their lives by allowing them to make the remittances at the comfort of their homes and offices,” Kagina said.
The service is essential for making a range of remittances including taxes and non-tax revenues. Police express penalties and driving permits can also be paid using the service.
The service is however limited to a maximum of USh3 million in the initial stages, URA says, the platform can collect at least USh10 to 20 billion each month, with an average of more than Ush100 billion.
Orient Bank’s managing director Maxwell Ibeanous acknowledged the launch saying most Ugandans have access to phones than physical banks, and the innovation would allow accessibility to most of them.
The service that is set to reduce congestion at the banks as well as enable remote payments is open to all the banks operating in Uganda.
URA also recently launched E-Tax solution, another service that makes them to be at the top position in East Africa when it comes to automated Tax collection systems.
Kenya already has an e-tax system that mainly assists in obtaining tax forms online, applying for Personal Identification Number (PIN). However, E-payment is yet to be implemented.
