Consumers, Malawi Revenue Authority  roar to demand receipts: Kapito lambasts ‘greedy politicians’

The Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) advocacy to demand receipts has been joined by traditional leaders, politicians and the Malawi Revenue Authority on Friday in Blantyre when MRA launched its Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) Lisiti Langa campaign.

CAMA Executive Director John Kapito said it is possible for the country to raise resources amounting K1 trillion if everyone pays their due taxes in the current financial year.

He said consumers have to take the leading role by exercising their right to demand receipts generated by EFD machines every time they purchase goods.

MRA has computerised collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) by introducing EFDs that record all transactions and simplifying the task of tax revenues collection.

“It is our right to get these receipts and we must always get them once we buy. This has been our campaign for consumers to demand receipts so that they ease their way of life in budgeting and accountability for their households.

Adding, “CAMA is grateful that MRA, chiefs, the business community and civil society have seen it wise that consumers have to be respected by according them EFD receipts. This will increase tax revenue collection and avail resources for roads construction, adequate and necessary drug acquisition in hospitals, potable water, construction of more school blocks, buying of books and timely salary payment for public service officers,” said Kapito.

He then took a swipe at Members of Parliament, who were represented by Allan Ngumuya and Noel Masangwi, to stop making unnecessary fiscal demands and help MRA collect more tax by taking the demand an EFD Receipt campaign to their constituents.

“Politicians worth their salt should know that the national budget you approved is just a plan but taxes must be collected to fulfil it. Tell all your colleagues in Parliament to stop being greedy but assist MRA to collect tax by rallying all your constituents to demand EFD receipts all the time. Let us have money to finance developments in the country,” said a visibly excited Kapito.

MP for the area, Masangwi appealed to all VAT registered businesses to issue EFD receipts as required by law and not wait for penalties.

A representative of Blantyre and Limbe business community, Ali Mohamed, pledged that they sustain compliance with tax laws. He expressed gratitude to MRA for maintaining constant contact with the community on taxation matters and wished that this should continue.

Speaking earlier, MRA Board Chairperson, Evelyn Mwapasa, said every consumer must always demand and EFD receipt after every transaction to ensure that due VAT collected should go into the Government purse.

“For your information, right now there are over 10,000 EFDs that have been bought and are in currently in use by all VAT registered businesses and this has enabled the Government to collect more revenue,’’ she said adding that for us to collect even more we need to demand EDF receipts.

“It is, therefore, your duty to check and verify if indeed the goods on the EFD receipt match with what you have bought,” she said.

The launch was attended by the clergy, senior chiefs, Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Indigenous Business Association of Malawi, Asian Business Community and led by the Mayor of Blantyre City, His Lordship Noel Chalamanda.

Government expects tax revenue amounting K730 billion to bankroll the current K1.2 billion national budget that has just been approved by Parliament.

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