BY NOXOLO DLAMINI
PIGG’S PEAK– The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) has called on EmaSwati and businesses buying goods outside the country to make sure their purchases are properly declared at customs, warning that undeclared imports could deny the country tax revenue.
ERS Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule made the call during an engagement with small and micro businesses at Gobolondlo Hall in Pigg’s Peak.
The meeting formed part of ERS efforts to take tax services and information closer to businesses, particularly smaller enterprises that may need direct guidance on their tax responsibilities.
Nkambule told those attending that taxes remain one of the main sources of money used by government to provide public services and finance national programmes.
He cited Value Added Tax (VAT), Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and company tax among the major sources of government revenue.
He said businesses and individuals had a responsibility to meet their tax obligations, noting that revenue collected locally ultimately contributes towards the running and development of the country.
Particular attention was placed on goods purchased outside Eswatini.
Nkambule encouraged EmaSwati who import goods, whether for business or personal purposes, to ensure the items are properly declared when entering the country.
Customs declarations require importers, or their representatives, to provide accurate details of goods being brought into Eswatini. These declarations are also used in determining VAT and other duties that may be payable.
The ERS Commissioner General further explained that proper declaration can also assist taxpayers where VAT has already been paid in another country.
For purchases made in South Africa, for instance, ERS has procedures allowing qualifying taxpayers to follow the appropriate VAT recovery process, provided the required documentation is available.
These may include valid tax invoices, proof of payment and customs documents.
The Pigg’s Peak engagement also gave small businesses an opportunity to interact directly with ERS officials and seek clarity on tax matters affecting their operations.
ERS has been placing increasing emphasis on taxpayer education and voluntary compliance, with the aim of helping businesses understand their responsibilities before problems arise.
The revenue authority has also expanded its Client Relationship Consultant model, which gives businesses dedicated points of contact for assistance with tax matters at their respective service centres.
For small and growing businesses, ERS stressed that keeping proper records and declaring transactions correctly can help prevent unnecessary disputes with the revenue authority.
The message from Pigg’s Peak was equally clear: taxpayers who are unsure about any requirement should approach ERS for guidance rather than wait until they are faced with penalties or other compliance challenges.
Proper tax compliance, ERS said, also ensures that businesses and individuals play their part in strengthening Eswatini’s domestic revenue base.
