The Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) informs Basotho that the filing season deadline is on September 30, and is encouraging those who have not filed yet to do so.
The annual Tax Filling Season runs from April 1 to June 30 but this year it was extended to September 30 as a Tax Relief Measure to mitigate the impact of Covid19 induced lockdown.
Acting LRA Commissioner ‘Mathabo Mokoko said the taxi relief included deferment, meaning that payments of specified taxes are to be paid at a later date and then spread out through six months and eight months.
She indicated that the taxes covered under the relief measures include Company Income Tax. Individuals Income Tax, Simplified Business Tax, Pay As you Earn and Value Added Tax.
She further said the tax relief measures are among others intended to ease cash flow problems faced by businesses as a result of the nationwide lockdown.
“The deadline for filing Income Tax Returns, for financial year 2019/2020 is now a few days away. LRA therefore implores all its clients to file for their tax returns and pay taxes due on or before September 30. The extended period was meant to give clients adequate time, given the prevailing situation, to prepare their books and to file on time.
“Clients are encouraged to make use of online platforms such as Interims E-filing accessible on our website or to use a dedicated email address taxreturns@lra.org.ls to file their returns. Clients are therefore encouraged to make use of the Payment Referencing Portal also accessible on LRA website to generate a reference that will allocate their payment to the correct tax type and correct payment period,” Mokoko said.
She also said clients who for various reasons, were not able to meet their tax obligations in the past, are urged to make use of the Voluntary Disclosure Programme, an initiative established solely to afford such clients, an opportunity to regularize their tax affairs.
Mokoko said clients should disclose honestly and truthfully all sources of income that were not previously disclosed, reiterating that clients tax affairs shall be treated with utmost confidentiality and secrecy, and that no additional taxes will be imposed and there will not be prosecution.
She indicated that there is a specially dedicated office that is based in Maseru Mall for that.
