Officials from the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) on Monday held a detailed engagement with tax experts from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), gaining fresh insights into digital tax systems, compliance requirements, and available taxpayer support mechanisms.
The meeting, held at URA offices, focused on enhancing journalists’ understanding of tax administration in Uganda, with emphasis on digital tools designed to improve efficiency and transparency in business operations.
During the session, URA tax educator Hafsa Sseguya Nabachwa highlighted the benefits of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS), describing it as a free application that enables traders to remotely monitor stock and sales in real time.
“With EFRIS, a trader does not need to physically count stock. You can track inventory and sales in real time from your phone, even when you are away from your business,” she explained.
She noted that the system not only simplifies business management but also promotes transparency and ensures compliance with tax obligations.
URA officials also underscored the importance of digital tax stamps, which help guarantee that goods on the market meet standards set by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). The stamps further enable authorities to track production and curb the circulation of counterfeit or harmful products.
On taxpayer relief, the authority revealed that waivers on penalties and interest remain in place for businesses still recovering from the economic effects of COVID-19. Officials said the initiative is aimed at helping affected taxpayers clear their principal liabilities and return to full compliance.
The authority clarified that Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) are mandatory for all income-generating activities, with individuals required to maintain a single TIN throughout their lifetime for transactions such as employment, property acquisition, and business operations.
Addressing non-governmental organizations, URA cautioned that registration alone does not automatically qualify entities for tax exemption. Organizations must maintain proper financial records and present audited accounts for at least two to three years before applying for exemption through the prescribed procedures.
Meanwhile, customs officials led by Simon Esonget outlined key importation guidelines, drawing a distinction between prohibited and restricted goods. Items such as used undergarments, vehicles older than 15 years, and certain used electronics were cited as prohibited, while others, including firearms, drones, and medicines, require prior clearance from relevant regulatory bodies.
Esonget explained that URA processes thousands of consignments daily using a risk management system that flags suspicious declarations for inspection while expediting clearance for compliant traders.
Officials also broke down the structure of import duties, including Value Added Tax (VAT), withholding tax, and infrastructure levies, urging traders to familiarize themselves with statutory requirements rather than rely on assumptions.
The engagement highlighted URA’s continued push to promote voluntary tax compliance through education, digital innovation, and strategic collaboration with the media to improve public awareness.
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