Wealth tax debate reignites as BURS targets P48bn

Aiming higher: The BURS is tightening its tax collections PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Aiming higher: The BURS is tightening its tax collections PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) is expected to rake in P47.5 billion in various taxes in the 2022-2023 financial year, a revelation that comes as legislators call for authorities to shift the tax burden from low-income Batswana to the wealthy.

The tax target for the upcoming financial year is compared to the P42 billion the BURS was charged with collecting in the 2021-2022 financial year. By December, the tax agency had raked in P38.5 billion, setting it on course to reach the target.

Finance ministry documents indicate that of the total taxes due in the upcoming financial year, P8.5 billion are classified as assessed income taxes, which include the taxes filed by individuals and companies through tax returns. Value Added Tax is expected to increase to P11.2 billion in the upcoming financial year, compared to P10.8 billion in 2021-2022.

Editor's Comment
Inspect the voters' roll!

The recent disclosure by the IEC that 2,513 registrations have been turned down due to various irregularities should prompt all Batswana to meticulously review the voters' rolls and address concerns about rejected registrations.The disparities flagged by the IEC are troubling and emphasise the significance of rigorous voter registration processes.Out of the rejected registrations, 29 individuals were disqualified due to non-existent Omang...

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