Commercial Building owners’ meeting with URA on taxes has been fiery

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) cordially issued a directive required all commercial Building owners and Traders in Kampala and Wakiso, Mukono have been invited to URA headquarters and informed about the high taxes they have to pay to avoid dragging the ropes.

At a heated meeting at the URA headquarters in Nakawa on Wednesday, the packed and flooded traders sorted out their grievances before URA, John Musinguzi commissioner General of URA who was accompanied by the commissioners in charge of property taxes and other agencies.

While owing their cases before Musinguzi, the traders and landlords accused the tax officials of feeding them candy and not listening to them when they had tax complaints.

Ismail Byekwasa, the manager of the senana, accused URA officers of feeding him candy and even opening as their building for not paying taxes on time and forgetting that most of the goods they sell are obtained on loan.

Landlords have also complained about being taxed in the two years of COVID-1

They said URA employees, especially those at the lower levels, are arrogant and some do not respect customers which is discouraging.

Other issues presented to him included; including higher taxes and taxes without first knowing their income.

The new property tax law is also said to be oppressive and they are asking for it to be reconsidered especially on the tax rate.

They pointed out the misuse of taxpayer money which they said has caused people to hate each other and some even refused to pay taxes altogether citing officials and government agencies.

Landlords, accused the agency’s employees of keeping silent about customers’ debts and charging them taxes which has caused some to hate themselves.

Landlords accused URA of not helping them with tenants who run away with their money and accused police and village leaders of colluding with tenants to rob them.

URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi said the purpose of the meeting was to find out the concerns of landlords and traders and introduce them to the new schemes they will be going through to collect in a narrow area at Division levels to listen to their concerns and make decisions.

On the tax exemption for the first two years, he said it was not easy because some landlords have a practice of completing one building and starting another which is a loss to the country.

On the behavior of their employees, Musinguzi said everything will change with the introduction of new systems to make it easier for their customers to know about their tax payments and accounts.

By mugula Dan

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