BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
EZULWINI – Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg has called on taxpayers to play their part in helping the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) collect E19.48 billion in domestic revenue during the 2026/27 financial year.
Rijkenberg made the call on Wednesday during the launch of the 2026 Annual Income Tax Return Filing Season at the ERS Headquarters in Ezulwini, where he stressed that tax compliance was not optional for those required by law to file.
The filing season is being conducted under the theme, “File Right. File On Time.”
According to Rijkenberg, the E19.48 billion target represents resources Government requires to finance key public services and development priorities, including roads, healthcare, education, public safety, social programmes and infrastructure.
He said every taxpayer had a role to play in achieving the target by accurately declaring income, submitting returns within the prescribed deadlines and paying taxes due.
“Whether you are a business owner, an employee, a professional, an investor, a trustee or a high net worth individual, your compliance helps fund the services and infrastructure that our citizens depend upon every day,” Rijkenberg said.
The minister warned that when income was under-declared or not declared at all, Government was left with fewer resources to meet the needs of the country.
He said this could result in the country having to rely on borrowing to bridge revenue gaps, something he described as neither sustainable nor desirable in the long term.
Rijkenberg said the success of the country’s revenue collection efforts therefore depended on a shared commitment to tax compliance and nation-building.
The ERS has been entrusted with collecting E19.48 billion in domestic revenue during the 2026/27 financial year.
Rijkenberg also reminded taxpayers that filing returns and paying prescribed tax obligations were legal requirements.
For the current filing season, companies and trusts, VAT-registered businesses, non-VAT-registered businesses and presumptive taxpayers have until October 31, 2026, to file their returns and pay any tax due.
Individuals earning E1 million or more per year, individuals earning employment income alongside other sources of income, High Net Worth Individuals and other special taxpayer categories have until November 30, 2026.
The ERS states that timely submission of returns helps taxpayers avoid penalties and interest charges.
Rijkenberg urged taxpayers not to wait until the final days of the filing season, saying late filing could create unnecessary pressure, increase the likelihood of errors and make it difficult to resolve queries or obtain supporting documentation.
He encouraged taxpayers to make use of the electronic filing facilities provided by the ERS and to seek assistance where they were uncertain about their obligations.
The minister also appealed to taxpayers to accurately declare their income and settle any liabilities within the prescribed timelines.
Rijkenberg said Government had a responsibility to ensure public resources were used effectively and transparently, while the ERS had a duty to administer the tax system fairly, efficiently and professionally.
Taxpayers, he said, also had a responsibility to fulfil their obligations.
The minister’s call comes as Government continues efforts to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation. The 2026/27 Budget identifies modernisation, automation, taxpayer education and enforcement of compliance among the priorities for the ERS.
Rijkenberg said taxpayers who complied with their obligations were directly contributing towards the country’s ability to finance its own development.
He thanked businesses, professionals, employees and other taxpayers who consistently filed accurate returns and paid their taxes on time.
Meanwhile, ERS Governing Board Chairperson David Dlamini said this year’s filing season came at a time when domestic revenue mobilisation was more important than ever.
He said every return filed accurately and every tax obligation met contributed towards financing public services, infrastructure and development programmes that improve the lives of emaSwati.
“We are particularly encouraged by the continued investments being made by ERS to strengthen compliance, improve taxpayer experience, and ensure that all taxpayers contribute according to their circumstances,” Dlamini said.
He added that these efforts were critical to maintaining the integrity and sustainability of the country’s tax system.
ERS Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule, meanwhile, called for revenue mobilisation to be balanced with the health and sustainability of businesses, while ensuring that taxpayers were treated with dignity and respect.
Nkambule also stressed the importance of working closely with businesses in the implementation of the electronic invoicing programme.
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