By Jumah Kakomo
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has launched Voluntary disclosure program dubbed “Voluntary disclosure program for Automatic Exchange of Information” which is intended to provide an opportunity to persons to voluntarily declare their tax affairs to URA.
The program that was launched on Thursday at Sheraton hotel Kampala will also play a key role in enhancing tax compliance among the taxpayers community.
During the launch of the program, the URA commissioner General John Rujoki Musinguzi noted that the program that addresses the mindset and changes people is where they should put emphasis. Adding that they want to see changes in the tax paying culture of Ugandans as well as improve the collecting efforts of the taxman with the activation of the voluntary disclosure program.
He says URA will always provide avenues for dialogue with taxpayers in order to ease compliance before deploying enforcement measures. He however, appealed to all taxpayers to look-out for the chance to voluntarily re-align their tax affairs and avoid all potential legal battles.
The program has various benefits which include; avoidance of paying accumulated interest and penalties, providing a fresh start for the taxpayers, and opening room for dialogue with URA among others.
The deputy secretary to the treasury at ministry of finance planning and economic development (MFPED) Ocailap Patrick revealed that the program will help them in ensuring effective service delivery and collecting the real revenue from citizens who own properties abroad.
“This is a great opportunity to launch such a program because it will boost revenue and the economy of the country, “Patrick said
