Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) launched an online Tax Clearance Certificate (e-TCC) system yesterday (Thursday 14/03/19).
According to the LRA Spokesperson Mr Pheello Mphana, the system follows recognition of the need for easy access to register, verify, print or download e-TCC and also apply for the Tax Clearance Certificate through cellphones or laptops. He added that this was also an innovative way of promoting their culture of offering services as LRA has been widely regarded as only a tax collector.
He added that the system was also meant to cut travelling costs for their customers as they need not have to visit the LRA offices for services they can acquire online.
He added that LRA had also established a Call Center and later would launch an Instant Chat service for its customers for wider dissemination of information.
“We see the need for our service channels to be improved all the time so that customers can just log in on our website and get services that LRA offers without having to queue at our respective offices,” he stated, adding that the website also has a feature called “Ask the Taxman” enabling people to ask questions and obtain tax related information. In addition, LRA has also created special desks for Tax Agents and Clearing Agents at the Maseru Border post and other border posts in Lesotho.
Furthermore, LRA holds periodic survey meetings with customers to get views on how the institution can improve its services
Meanwhile, LRA wishes to inform the Business community in particular and the general public of the scammers pretending to be LRA officials conducting door to door audits who extort monies from unsuspecting victims. These unfortunate incidents are alleged to have occurred in and around the Thetsane area in Maseru and there is a possibility that it might spread to other places.
He added that people should look out for LRA officials who are using branded vehicles with LRA logo and should always ask such officials to produce identity cards bearing their name, designation, employment number, division and expiry date.
He added that LRA officials do not collect money during audits but rather raise assessments and that the payments are made at the banks or at LRA Banking Hall housed in LRA head office in Maseru.
The community is encouraged to report any suspicious operations to police stations or verify the authenticity of the agents by calling 52215203/52215123 or 52215182.
