OSHAKATI - The governor of Oshana, Elia Irimari, has called on taxpayers to honour their obligations to allow government to provide services and sustain its social contracts with citizens.

“It is a fact that the government needs sustainable sources of revenue for social programmes and public investments to foster economic growth and development,” said Irimari.

He made the remarks at a tax symposium organised by his office at Oshakati on Wednesday.

The symposium is an engagement between the tax collection entity, Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and the business community, aimed at giving an insight on tax and tackling tax issues affecting businesses.

NamRA’s commissioner Sam Shivute, who was giving an insight into what the agency does, encouraged the public not to allow corrupt activities into the agency.

He asked those who are aware of bribery transactions in the agency to report them to the relevant authorities.

The head of domestic taxes, Idi Itope, echoed these sentiments.

“Every service that we provide is free of charge. You just pay your tax. There is nothing like making your penalties or interest disappear,” Itope said.

Itope urged the public to honour their tax obligations without being coerced.

To avoid the long distance trekked by some tax collectors to submit their tax returns, Itope pleaded to taxpayers to embrace the electronic filing system.

The electronic filing system will also ease the burden faced in paying out tax refunds within 90 days, as should be the case.

Itope said the Oshakati office, which accounts for all northern regions during the just-ended financial year was only able to collect N$1.4 billion contributing only 4% to the country’s tax.

In total, N$32 billion was collected in tax across the country.

“Are we really doing enough or do we still have to do more?” asked Itope.

At present, taxpayers still owe government close to N$1 billion.

-nashipala@nepc.com.na