MRA trains Journalists on tax matters

By Innocent Chingaipe

The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) is holding a two-day media training workshop at Mzuzu Hotel to equip journalists with knowledge and skills on tax issues.

The workshop, which started on Monday, December 4, 2023, is aimed at empowering journalists about the presumptive tax, tax return block management system, MRA4change and tax stamps.

The presumptive tax is a simplified tax regime for small and medium enterprises that have an annual turnover of less than MK 12 million.

The tax return block management system is a new initiative that allows taxpayers to file their returns online and pay their taxes electronically.

MRA4change is a campaign that promotes voluntary tax compliance and educates the public about the benefits of paying taxes.

Tax stamps are security labels that are affixed on selected products to curb smuggling and tax evasion.

The MRA Commissioner General, John Biziwick, said the workshop is part of the authority’s efforts to improve its working relationship with journalists and to enhance their capacity in tax reporting.

He said journalists play a vital role in disseminating information about taxes and taxation to the public and in fostering a culture of tax compliance.

“We value the media as our key partner in our quest to mobilize domestic revenue for national development. We want to equip you with the relevant information and skills that will enable you to report accurately and objectively on tax matters. We also want to hear from you on how we can improve our service delivery and communication strategies,” he said.

He urged the journalists to take advantage of the workshop and to ask questions and share their views and experiences on tax issues.

He also appealed to them to use their platforms to educate and inform the public about the importance of paying taxes and the consequences of tax evasion.

The workshop has attracted journalists from various media houses in the northern region.

Some of the topics that will be covered include the overview of the tax system in Malawi, the role of the media in tax administration, the challenges and opportunities in tax reporting, and the best practices and ethical standards in tax journalism.