Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) recognized the best taxpayers from the Eastern Province, in an event that took place this Tuesday the 24^th October, 2023 in Gatsibo District.

A total of seven taxpayers including; 7 winners at the district level (from the seven districts), the best taxpayer in decentralized taxes, the best EBM user and the best consumer who requested for the highest number of EBM receipts were recognized.

The awardees included Manebu Industries Ltd (Bugesera District), 3P Initiative LTD (from Rwamagana district), Ayateke Star Company Ltd (from Kirehe district), Karuranga Ten Drinks Company LTD (from Ngoma district), Escale Franchise Ltd (from Kayonza district), EPIC Hotel Ltd (from Nyagatare district) and LIFE HOLISTIC LTD (from Gatsibo district).

Emmanuel Gashumba who owns various petrol stations, was recognized as the best taxpayer in local government taxes whereas BINYA LTD, a bakery in Kayonza district, was awarded as the best EBM user (he issued 105,352 invoices worth Frw 489,1 million). Additionally, Tuyishime Jean de Dieu, a junior employee at Nyagatare Hospital, was honored as the best consumer who received the most EBM receipts, totaling 93, with a value of Frw 489,1 million.

During the event, RRA Deputy Commissioner General, Jean Louis Kaliningondo, emphasized the importance of tax compliance in empowering the country's capacity to finance key development projects, including modern hospitals, schools and asphalt roads among others.

"That is why we highly value this taxpayers’ appreciation initiative because we understand that you are the engine of the development of our country as we build the Rwanda we want," he said.

He urged business owners to embrace the use of the electronic invoicing system known as EBM since it was realized that some have installed the system on their devices but do not use it properly. "When you do not give your client an EBM invoice, yet you are registered for VAT, it means you are not declaring the withheld tax, and you are holding the money that a customer intended to send to the government coffers," he added.

He added that RRA is doubling efforts to put a human touch to its operations by getting closer to taxpayers to solve their tax related issues, in regard to law provisions. To implement this, the RRA management recently approved quarterly taxpayers’ outreach activities in districts and monthly outreach in the City of Kigali.

This will complement various government initiatives undertaken to ease the tax burden for taxpayers through different tax law reforms.

The Second Vice Chairperson of the Private Sector in the Eastern Province, Anita Ahayo, praised RRA's efforts to organize the taxpayer appreciation event because it values them as partners in the country’s development. She also commended various initiatives put in place to support taxpayers and listen to their concerns.

The Governor of the Eastern Province, Emmanuel Gasana, committed to curb smuggling by installing over 600 information agents across 1300 border points in order to fight illegal trade which harm the country’s economy.

He emphasized the role of tax education as a tool to increase the number of compliant taxpayers and benefit from all business opportunities available in the province, including agriculture, tourism, industrial zones, and mining.

The next provincial Taxpayer appreciation celebrations will be take place in Musanze district on Friday 27^th, October, 2023, where the most compliant taxpayers from the Northern province will be recognized.