Tag Archives: Msonkho Online

Business

‘Msonkho Online to shrink inconveniences’-assures MRA

Maravi Post Reporter
Head of Corporate Affairs for MRA Steven Kapoloma

By Chikondi Manjawira

MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has declared that the soon to be piloted Msonkho Online System will help reduce inconveniences to tax payers whenever they would want to register, file and pay Taxes.

Head of Corporate Affairs for MRA Steven Kapoloma affirmed this during the Association of Business Journalists'(ABJ) Annual General Meeting (AGM) where MRA trained Business Journalists on New Tax Measures in Mangochi.

Addressing ABJ members, Kapoloma said from the 16th of January next year, MRA will start the pilot for the Msonkho Onliine with the Blantyre and Mzuzu offices where Tax Payers would be able to pay Tax online on top of being able to register and file for  VAT returns online.

“Msonkho Online is a system that will transform our way of dealing with Tax Payers. It s a game changer because Tax Payers will no longer have the burden of walking/driving to our offices to submit the returns. From the 1st of February, 2020 Tax Payers will be able to transact with MRA electronically 24/7 through Msonkho Online.

“Bogus MRA officers who demand something from Tax Payers to fast-track the production of Tax and other MRA Tax Certificates will no longer exist. Tax Payers  will be able to apply and check all the processing stages and know when the Tax Certificates are out for collection through Msonkho Online, clarified Kapoloma”.  

Commenting on ABJ and MRA’s correlation, Kapoloma said that there has been a remarkable positive relationship that has witnessed the movement from antagonism to a place where the transactions between the two are cordial and fruitful.

Association of Business Journalists'(ABJ) members

Outgoing National Coordinator for ABJ, Aubrey Mchulu expressed his appreciation to MRA for its continued support in making sure Business Journalists are equipped with the needed knowledge on Tax issues to easily communicate and disseminate Tax information to the general public.

“We are grateful to all our partners for their support. It shows the vote of confidence they have in the Association. There are other partners who have used the same Association to launch their brands and products because they trust what ABJ does. The Association has over the years built the capacity of Business and Economic reporting, explained Mchulu”.

On the second day of annual meeting, ABJ elected new leadership. Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director of News and Current Affairs, Vincent Khonyongwa and his deputy Enelles Nyale from National Publications Limited (NPL) went unopposed.

The position of Secretary General went to a freelance Journalist Gregory Gondwe. He is deputized by Chikondi Manjawira from Maravipost online publication. Again, both went unopposed.

Capital Radio’s Journalist Wezzie Chamanza emerged a winner on Treasurer General position against Steve Chilundu of NPL. ABJ elected four Executive members namely; Semeon Shumba from MBC, Charles Sitima of Radio Maria, Capital Radio’s Timothy Kateta and Timothy Kachedwa.

The following were elected in Advisory Council; Professional Ethics Advisor, Ayam Maeresa, Policy Advisor, Thomas Chafunya, Technical Advisor, Frank Phiri, Projects Coordinator, Chikondi Chiyembekeza and Membership Auditor, Steve Chilundu.

In his acceptance speech, Khonyongwa promised to take ABJ to greater heights in capacity building as well as revive the element of public debates and provision of certificates to Business Journalists that have gone through trainings.

The outgoing National Coordinator, Aubrey Mchulu wished the newly elected executive team success as he encouraged members to maintain professionalism and avoid partisan.

Business, Top News

MRA up for tax base’s collection expansion

Maravi Post Reporter

By Chikondi Manjawira

 

SALIMA-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Revenue Authority over the weekend briefed members of Association of Business Journalists (ABJ) on the new tax measures the authority has put in place in order to increase submission of tax by individuals as well as companies.

 

The briefing took place at Sunbird Livingstonia in Salima under the theme ‘The Role of Business Journalists in a Recovering Economy’ which according to MRA underscores the fact that the media is very crucial when it comes to social and infrastructural development of a nation.

 

Head of Corporate Affairs for Malawi Revenue Authority, Steven Kapoloma described the relationship the Authority has with the business media body as robust and progressive.

 

 

Kapoloma added that the partnership between the MRA and ABJ has enabled the Authority to reach with tax messages to various stakeholders across the country.

 

“Malawi is a country that has vast resources and the opportunities  that can be accessed by others through the media. The media is the window of opportunity for both local and foreign investors.

 

“Its mportant that the media focus more on the positive elements that this country has so that we can have more investors come in here and support in our recovering economy,” urges Kapoloma.

 

Kapoloma added that by promptly paying taxes, Malawians are progressively realizing that domestic resource mobilization for government’s operations is possible.

 

Commenting on the new tax measures that have been gazette, Kapoloma clarified more about Msonkho Online which is to roll out in the near future.

 

Msonkho Online will allow employees to log in into their accounts to register for tax, to check if their companies/employers are remitting tax to the Authority.

 

Currently, it is very difficult to know which employer has not remitted the tax at the right time because MRA uses Manual system.

 

“The Msonkho online is under construction now and once it is brought to use by the various stakeholders it is a robust system that is integrating with various players in Malawi including immigration, National registration bureau to ensure taxes are being remitted,” Kapoloma said.

 

In his remark ABJ  National Coordinator, Aubrey Mchulu said MRA”s key presentation on Tax reforms, Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD), the new laws passed will help business journalists disseminate the needed information to the general public.

 

“Business journalists are very crucial towards national development because they write about the economy, things that affect most of the people. Most people have an attitude towards national economy.

 

‘The public think it’s technical so when business journalists get a better understanding of the issues they are able to unpack such issues to the public and help them make informed decisions in terms of where they can invest their money, how they can pay their taxes, what they need to do as consumers, that in the long run contributes to the economy,” Mchulu said.