Coat of arms of Rwanda

Tax Services

Frequently Asked Questions

RRA Services and referral requirements
What is a Taxpayer Identification Number? (TIN)

This is a unique number which is issued to a taxpayer by the tax Administration. It is obligatory for every taxpayer to have this unique number. Taxpayers have the obligation to indicate this number on all correspondences they do with RRA. This number has to be indicated on all documents which the taxpayer provides to the tax administration as proof.

Note that Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is offered free of charge and it is issued within about 5 minutes after submission of the required papers.

Requirements to get a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Requirements vary depending on whether the applicant is a physical person or a moral person.

Physical persons:
Moral person
Tax Clearance certificate

This certificate is issued by RRA to taxpayers who owe no debt to the Treasury. Tax clearance certificate is specific and does not serve any other purpose except that for which it has been issued. This means that if it has been issued for the transfer of a bank loan, you can not use it for example in public procurement to secure tender for the supply of goods/services. However, one certificate can be used for more than one purposes, if such purposes are the ones for which that certificate was requested. A tax clearance certificate is valid for three (3) months, effective from the time it is issued. This is a mechanism through which the tax administration is able to recover arrears owed to the Government. Other areas where this may be useful is during change of destination of customs goods, etc.

(The exercise is assisted by software known as “the standard Integrated Government Tax Administration System” (SIGTAS) which facilitates the quick analysis of taxpayer’s data and thereby establishing status of the taxpayer’s account.) Who is interested in knowing this? I suggest you delete it. It is for this reason that the certificate is issued within a period of one working day.

Requirements for the tax clearance certificate

They vary depending on the nature of the purpose for which it is being requested.

Transfer of immovable property, such as a house

Requirements:

Transfer of unfinished building

The requirements are different from those required in the above case;

In case of public tenders
Quitus fiscal.

Quitus fiscal is another certificate issued by RRA. It is issued to taxpayers who have manifested high integrity in their transactions with RRA. This means that the taxpayer always correctly and timely files his tax returns and pays due taxes on time.

What is the purpose of quitus fiscal?

Once this document is issued, the bearer has the right to clear his goods from the customs ware house without paying the 5% or 3% withholding tax payable at customs during importation of goods and payable at the time a public tender is awarded respectively. This facilitates taxpayers who may be in cash-flow constraints.

It is understandable that for one to benefit from quitus fiscal, he should have been registered with RRA for sometime, enough to predict his compliance level in the past based on his previous performance. For new taxpayers, the tax office has no sufficient knowledge on him, such that one can not ascertain his integrity and compliance level (t However, where a taxpayer presents a certificate of registration with RIEPA, the taxpayer may be issued with one, even where he has does not meet the one year requirement.

Requirements for Quitus fiscal.

NB: The above conditions do not apply to taxpayers with a certificate of registration issued by RIEPA. Refund for the privileged persons.

Who are privileged persons?

Privileged persons are those persons on who the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24th April 1963, applies. It is in this spirit that the above Convention exempts VAT, among other taxes.

For such a refund to be effected, privileged applicants for the above refund are required to accompany the application with the following:

Exemptions:

Exemption from Customs duties

1) Items contained in the personal luggage of travelers

Conditions that apply

  • i) Imported goods should not be for commercial purpose;
  • ii) The facility shall not be granted to multiple entry applications Required documents
  • iii) Original invoices or estimated value for used personal effects and ;
  • iv) Any other document that may be required by the Customs.

2) Personal property belonging to physical persons, brought into the Customs territory following the transfer of their normal place of residence;

Conditions that apply

- Goods should be non-commercial personal effects;

  • Exemptions shall not be granted to frequent travelers. Goods
  • Exemption shall be accorded to Rwandese nationals who have resided outside the customs territory for an uninterrupted stay abroad of at least one (1) year, with an exception of Rwandan diplomats definitively recalled;
  • Goods to be exempted shall be imported within a period of three (3) months in advance or after following the arrival of the applicant.

Conditions that apply


3)Education, scientific, technological and cultural materials, such as: books, news papers and tourist information literature

Conditions that apply


4) Equipments and instruments used only in conserving and protecting the environment

Conditions that apply


5. Donations to the state or its Institutions

Conditions that apply


6. Items for charitable and philanthropic organizations

Conditions that apply

Required document


7. Articles intended for handicapped persons

Required conditions


8. Samples of negligible value

Conditions that apply


9. Good imported for examination analysis or test purposes

Condition that apply

Required documents


10. Articles imported for religious ceremonies

Conditions that apply

Required documents


11. Solar energy equipment and the accessories

Conditions that apply

Goods should appear on the list established by the Ministry having energy in its attribution

Required documents


12. Importation of goods for Diplomatic Missions, Consulates and International Organizations.

Conditions that apply for Diplomatic Mission


13. Importation of reproductive animals

Required documents


14. Consignments of negligible value

Conditions that apply


15. Gifts with negligible value sent by one person to another

Conditions that apply


16. Pharmaceutical products, instruments and apparatus, intended for Medical research, diagnosis or treatment of patients, pesticides, agricultural tools and fishery equipments

Conditions that apply

Required documents


17. Honorary decorations or awards

Conditions that apply


18. Samples of negligible value

Conditions that apply

Required documents


19. Fuel, lubricating oils, spare parts, regular equipment and stores for consumption on board of means of transport engaged in international air traffic

Conditions that apply


20. Fire extinguisher vehicles.

Required documents


21. Agricultural inputs.

Conditions that apply

Required documents


22. Temporary importation regime

Conditions that apply

Required documents

NB: with exceptions to goods imported under specific conventions, goods under the temporary admission procedure with partial relief shall be subject to payment of duties and taxes, upon expiration of six (6) months within the Customs territory

“’Notwithstanding the powers vested into the Minister by the provisions of article 15 of this law, the following supplies are exempt from Value Added tax

  • 1. Water supply services.
  • The supply of mains water and sewerage services made for non-profit motive, excluding sewerage pump out services.

  • 2. Health supplies.
  • 3. Educational services.
  • 4. Books, newspapers, journals, cassettes and diskettes used as educational materials.
  • 5. Transport Services.
  • 6. Transfer of property.
  • Companies supplying goods to International organizations whose activities are exempt.
What is Vehicle Registration Tax?

Vehicle Registration Tax is a tax charged on motor vehicles and other non motor vehicle engines. The vehicle registration tax involves:

When must I register?

Registration is done prior to the use of the vehicle since a non-registered vehicle cannot be allowed to circulate.

How and where do I register?

Imported vehicles’ registration is done from the customs’ premises situated in Gikondo. The vehicles within the country can be registered at any RRA office in the Provinces. Whereas in Kigali City, registration takes place from Revenue Protection Department office in Gikondo.

How is vehicle tax calculated?

The VRT is calculated according to the engine power of the vehicle (“Cheveaux Vapeur”, CV or “Horse Power”, HP) for light and heavy motor vehicles, are charged according to thier weights.

How can I pay my vehicle tax?

The payment is done through the bank located at any R.R.A. operational departments after thorough examination of the motor vehicle.

Do I have any recourse once I find that I have been overcharged?

Yes. This is done in writing by asking to recalculate the VRT, and the refund is made where there is proof of overcharging.

When can I get my Number Plates?

After payment of the registration fees, number plates are given to the owner of the motor vehicle.

What happens if I buy a vehicle from a Motor Dealer?

In this case, an invoice from the motor vehicle Dealer together with the customs’ documents are required.

When do I receive my Registration Certificate?

The registration certificate is obtained after payment of the registration fees.

Are there any relief and Exemptions?

Exemptions and relief are only made on property tax for Diplomats, UN agencies and other International Organizations. This is done in accordance with the provision of law regarding international organs and diplomatic missions in Rwanda.

Who is supposed to pay income tax?

A resident taxpayer is liable to income tax per the tax period from all domestic source and foreign sources in accordance with articles 3 and 4 of this law.

What are the sources of Income in Rwanda?
Below are the sources of income in Rwanda:

Income from sources in from Rwanda includes:

  • 1. income generated from services performed in Rwanda, including income generated from employment;
  • 2. income generated by a crafts person, musician or a player from his or her performances in Rwanda;
  • 3. income generated from activities carried on by a non-resident through a permanent establishment in Rwanda;
  • 4. income generated from sale of movable assets owned by a permanent establishment in Rwanda;
  • 5. income generated from the following assets in Rwanda:
  • 6. income generated from sale of assets referred to in point 5° of this article;
  • 7. dividends distributed by a resident company;
  • 8. profit shares distributed by a resident partnership;
  • 9. interest paid by the Central Government, Districts, Town or Municipality, a resident of Rwanda or by a permanent establishment that a non-resident maintains in Rwanda;
  • 10. license fees including lease payments and royalties or artistic fee paid by a resident, or paid by a permanent establishment owned by a non-resident in Rwanda;
  • 11. income generated from any other activities carried on in Rwanda.
What is the taxable income?

Taxable income is composed of the following:

  • 1° employment income;
  • 2° business profits;
  • 3° investment income.
Which are the entities exempted from Corporate tax by the Government of Rwanda?

The Government of Rwanda and the following entities are exempted from corporate income tax:

  • 1° the City of Kigali, Districts, Towns and Municipalities;
  • 2° the National Bank of Rwanda;
  • 3° entities that carry on only activities of a religious, humanitarian, charitable, scientific or educational character, unless the revenue received during a tax period exceeds the corresponding expenses on to the extent that those entities conduct a business;
  • 4° international organizations, agencies of technical cooperation and their representatives, if such exemption is provided for by international agreements;
  • 5° qualified pension funds;
  • 6° the Rwanda Social Security Fund;
  • 7° the Rwanda Development Bank.
When Am I considered as a Resident in Rwanda?

An individual is considered as resident in Rwanda if he or she fulfills one of the following:

  • 1° has a permanent residence in Rwanda;
  • 2° has a habitual abode in Rwanda;
  • 3° is a Rwandan representing Rwanda abroad.

An individual who stays in Rwanda for more than 183 days in any 12-month period, either continuously or intermittently, is resident in Rwanda for the tax period in which the 12 month period ends.

A person other than an individual is considered as a resident in Rwanda during a tax period if it:

  • 1° is a company or an association established according to Rwandan laws; or
  • 2° has its place of effective management in Rwanda at any time during that tax period; or
  • 3° is a Rwanda government company.
What is “Permanent establishment”?

The term “permanent establishment” means a fixed place of business through which the business of a person is wholly or partially carried on. In particular one of the following is considered as a permanent establishment: An administrative branch, factory, workshop, mine, quarry or any other place for the exploitation of natural resources, and a building site or a place where construction or assembly works are carried out.

When a person is not considered as a permanent establishment?

A person is not considered as a permanent establishment if he or she only carries out activities through a broker, general commission agent or any other private agent in accordance with procedures of the ordinary course of the activities of such an agent.

Who is the casual laborer?

The “casual laborer” means an employee or worker who performs unskilled labour activities, who does not use machinery or equipment requiring special skills, and who is engaged by an employer for an aggregate period not exceeding thirty (30) days during a tax period.

What is qualified pension fund?

Qualified pension fund means any fund which fulfills the following:

  • a. one which was established according to Rwanda laws;
  • b. one which is operated for the principal purpose of providing pension payments to residents in the country;
  • c. one which has effective management in Rwanda at any time during the tax period.
What is a long term contract?

A “long term contract” means a contract for work, manufacture, installation of construction, the performance of related services, which is not completed in the tax period in which work under the contract commenced, or other than a contract estimated to be completed within the twelve months as of the date on which work under the contract commenced.

chat
  About

The history of taxes in Rwanda indicates that the first tax legislation was inherited from colonial regimes.

  RRA core strategic values
  • Integrity
  • Customer focus
  • Transparency
  • Professional Service delivery
  • Teamwork
  Photo Gallery
  Contact Us
  Senior Management Team Members (Contact Details)

Tel : +250 252595500
Mail : info@rra.gov.rw
RRA Call Center : 3004