By NOXOLO DLAMINI
PIGG’S PEAK – Government’s ability to provide public services and support national development is sustained by tax revenue, Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule has said.
Speaking during the ERS engagement with small and micro businesses at Gobolondlo Hall in Pigg’s Peak, Nkambule highlighted Value Added Tax (VAT), Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and company tax as among the key taxes contributing to government revenue.
He said paying taxes should not only be viewed as an obligation, but as an important contribution towards sustaining government operations and the services provided to the public.
The remarks came as ERS takes its services closer to businesses through its Regional Client Relationship Consultant (CRC) initiative, which is designed to give small and micro businesses a dedicated point of contact for tax-related assistance, guidance and compliance support.
Under the model, businesses are linked to Client Relationship Consultants based at their respective ERS service centres, allowing taxpayers to access assistance closer to where they operate.
Nkambule said the initiative forms part of ERS efforts to strengthen its relationship with taxpayers and improve voluntary compliance by helping businesses understand their tax obligations.
The ERS mandate includes the assessment and collection of revenue on behalf of government, as well as promoting compliance with revenue laws.
For small businesses, understanding their obligations is particularly important as different tax requirements may apply depending on the nature and size of the business. ERS, for instance, administers a Presumptive Tax regime for qualifying small businesses with annual turnover below E500,000.
The Gobolondlo engagement therefore provided an opportunity for local businesses to interact directly with the revenue authority, seek clarification on tax matters and receive guidance on compliance.
The initiative is part of a broader ERS drive to move beyond enforcement and strengthen taxpayer education and relationships with businesses. The revenue authority has also been expanding digital and other services aimed at making tax administration more accessible.
Nkambule’s message placed tax compliance at the centre of the relationship between government, the revenue authority and the business community, emphasising that businesses play a role in contributing to the country’s revenue base.
The ERS has stated that its vision is 100 percent voluntary compliance, with taxpayer education and improved service delivery forming part of its approach to achieving that goal.
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