Africa-Press – Lesotho. Revenue Authority (LRA) alerts the public of the nearing of the end of the tax filling season, which will be catalysed through a filling season campaign and a digital means of payments.
To ease the process and minimize the spread of COVID-19, also in adherence to the World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations, LRA introduced the Payment Referencing Portal – which is also
accessible on the LRA website – to generate a reference that will allocate their payments to the correct tax type and correct payment period. The platform is designed such that clients,
whom for various reasons, were not able to meet their tax obligations in the past, are urged to use the Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VDP), an initiative
established solely to afford such clients an opportunity to regularise their tax affairs. “That is disclosing honestly and truthfully all sources of income that
were not previously disclosed. Clients tax affairs shall be treated with utmost confidence and secrecy, no additional taxes shall be imposed and no persecution,” indicatedLRA Acting
Commissioner General ‘Mathabo Mokoko. Speaking at the press conference, Mokoko reminded that every year from 1st April to 30th June is the Income Tax Filling Season but this year the filling season was
extended to 30th September as a Tax Relief Measure to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 induced lockdown. She said the taxes covered under this relief measures are: Company Income Tax (CIT)
Individuals Income Tax (IIT), Simplified Business Tax (SBT), Pay as You Earn (PAYE), and Value Added Tax (VAT). These taxes relief measures are amongst others,
intended to ease cash flow problem faced by businesses as a result of the nationwide lockdown. Mokoko explained that the deadline for filling Income Tax Returns, for financial year 2019/2020 is a few days away.
“LRA therefore implores all its clients to file for their returns and pay tax due on or before 30th September 2020”.
She added that the extended period was meant to give clients adequate time, given the prevailing situation to prepare their books and file on time. For online tax filling, clients are
encouraged to use online platforms such as Interim E-filing accessible on the LRA website or to use a dedicated email: taxreturns@lra. org. ls to file their returns.
“Despite harsh business and economic environment brought by COVID-19 pandemic outbreak worldwide, tax relief
measures were granted to clients to ease tax compliance burden and to overcome cash flow challenges. Small were given a great opportunity not to pay tax for the past 3 months when the nationwide lockdown
began. Essential services such as pharmacies and pick and pay were also given a chance not to pay tax of 3 months from the beginning of lockdown, rather they
will pay later on with no additional interest as LRA understands they had to pay their workers”. Mokoko said. Makoko announced that electronic payment platforms have been provided, mainly for commercial banks; Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB), Nedbank Lesotho and First National Bank (FNB)
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