What do you believe is the single most important factor driving up the cost of living in Nigeria?

Stakeholders in the construction sector have outlined limited knowledge on tax administration, high tax burden, lengthy tax dispute resolution mechanisms, and corruption among some tax collectors, as the main reasons fueling tax compliance gaps among them.

Under their umbrella body, Uganda National Association of Builders, Suppliers and Engineering Contractors (UNABSEC), constructors who spoke during their sector tax dialogue in Kampala on September 26 said Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) must address the challenges to enable them pay their taxes without fail.

“Members encounter challenges of heavy penalties imposed on principal taxes. A particular member attempted to make the tax payment, only to find that the URA system was inaccessible due to technical difficulties towards the end of December 2023. As a result, the member incurred penalties, and interest continues to accrue on these penalties,” UNABSEC president Jamesone Olonya

URA, he said, must intensify tax education especially on new developments like the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solutions (EFRIS) which is not yet understood by the majority of their new members.

On corruption, Olonya said, “We shall not be shy to deal with the issue of corruption involving URA officials because it’s real and presents a significant challenge for providers. The challenges our members face include; overassessment of taxes and unnecessary delays in the assessment process.”

• Read More