BURS loses landmark VAT legal dispute

BURS has been ordered to reimburse a couple that was forced to pat VAT on a property purchased through a Deputy Sheriff
BURS has been ordered to reimburse a couple that was forced to pat VAT on a property purchased through a Deputy Sheriff

In a landmark ruling, the Court of Appeal (COA) has ordered that a Gaborone couple be reimbursed P91, 000 paid to Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) as value added tax (VAT) on a property purchased through an auction conducted by a Deputy Sheriff.

In a case that is likely to set a precedent that will dent BURS’ tax collections while opening up a pocket of respite for homebuyers, the CoA has   declared that the sale of property by a Non-VAT registered Deputy Sheriff under authority of a court order (sale of execution) is not liable to VAT charges.

 The VAT Act prescribes that every person who conducts business (taxable activity) of a value reaching or exceeding P500, 000 in any proceeding 12 months period is required to register under the Act.

Editor's Comment
Routine child vaccination imperative

The recent Vaccination Day in Motokwe, orchestrated through collaborative efforts between UNICEF, USAID, BRCS, and the Ministry of Health, underscores a commendable stride towards fortifying child health services.The painful reality as reflected by the Ministry of Health's data regarding the decline in routine immunisation coverage since the onset of the pandemic, is a cause for concern.It underscores the urgent need to address the...

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