A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), namely the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), Mzuzu Youth Caucus, Drug Fight Malawi, the Citizen League and Youth Alive Mchinji, has called for a collective approach and national compliance with the Malawi Revenue Authority’s newly introduced Electronic Invoicing System (EIS) for Value Added Tax (VAT) invoicing.
Addressing the press in Lilongwe, the organisations said they had noted misinformation about the system being spread by some business people and companies to mislead Malawians and resist the new tax measures for their own selfish gains.
One of the CSOs’ representatives, Gomezgani Nkhoma, said the Electronic Invoicing System (EIS) is a solution to tax fraud and that its implementation will help the MRA improve tax collection for the country’s economic recovery.
“It should be clearly explained and understood that the EIS is not a new tax, as it is being clandestinely presented by some business operators.
This is simply an internet-based invoicing system and, apart from the issuance of invoices, it eases compliance, including real-time invoicing, and assures accurate reporting that reduces paperwork and curbs human errors,” reads part of the statement by the CSOs.
The organisations have since appealed for a collective approach and citizens’ adherence to the new system, while urging the public to report any fraudulent activities.
By Foster Maulidi
