By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) is gearing up to take over the collection of non-tax revenue. This marks a significant shift in payment procedures starting in May this year.
On Wednesday, the Acting Minister of Finance, Mabulala Maseko, officially launched “The Revenue Takeover” project at the ERS Head Office in Ezulwini.
This initiative is in line with the provisions outlined in the SRA Act of 2008, aimed at enhancing efficiency in revenue collection processes.
Under this project, all revenue line items currently collected by the Treasury department on behalf of Government ministries will transition to the responsibility of the ERS.
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The transition will be executed in a phased approach to ensure a smooth and seamless transfer of responsibilities.
Effective from May 2nd, 2024, the first phase of the transition will see revenue payments previously handled by the Ministry of Commerce, including company registration fees, trading licence fees, and liquor licence fees, being processed exclusively at any ERS Service Centres across the country.
This move is expected to streamline payment processes and enhance efficiency in revenue collection.
The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) is a semi-autonomous revenue administration agency, established through the Revenue Authority Act No. 1 of 2008.
It operates within the broad framework of Government but outside of the civil service.
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The ERS is structured as a corporate entity and it has a Governing Board which is appointed by the Minister of Finance in accordance with the Eswatini Public Enterprise Act, and read with the founding Act.
In furtherance of their mandate, as well as in working towards adopting best practice, the ERS is a member of various international organisations, such as the World Customs Organization (WCO); the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF).
Alliances with established revenue agencies such as the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) have also been pursued to this end.