The Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) has surpassed its revenue collection target for the 2024/2025 financial year, successfully remitting M9.74 billion to the government. This marks a positive variance of M261.19 million (3%) and an 11% increase compared to the previous year.
RSL Commissioner General ‘Mathabo Mokoko attributed this growth to increased taxpayer compliance, with more individuals and businesses registering for tax, filing returns, and making timely payments.
“We appreciate the growing compliance by taxpayers. Taxes that go unpaid or are evaded deny the government the resources needed for essential infrastructure. The days of relying on other nations to support our developmental agenda are behind us,” Mokoko stated.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday this week, she urged all Basotho to collaborate in nation-building by fulfilling their tax obligations on time.
Mokoko provided a detailed breakdown of the 2024/2025 revenue performance:
- Income Tax: Target – M4.93 billion; Collected – M5.25 billion
- Value Added Tax (VAT): Target – M4.35 billion; Collected – M4.3 billion
- Tobacco and Alcohol Levy: Target – M1.068 billion; Collected – M16.4 million
“This performance reflects an 11% increase from the previous financial year, demonstrating significant improvement in tax collection,” she emphasized.
Mokoko highlighted that tax revenue collection remains a key driver of Lesotho’s economic growth, development, and investment potential. She reaffirmed RSL’s commitment to transparency and accountability in reporting financial performance annually.
“We have successfully automated the bank reconciliation process, improving efficiency and turnaround times. Additionally, we have integrated with five institutions to streamline tax payment collections, verified taxpayer registration details, and automated compliance for PAYE returns. Integration with two more institutions is at an advanced stage, reinforcing seamless service delivery.”
The Commissioner General also revealed that RSL has developed data science models to enhance taxpayer understanding and support informed decision-making.
Furthermore, a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy has been implemented to protect the organisation’s digital assets.
“We have formulated a clear implementation roadmap to strengthen our cybersecurity posture,” Mokoko noted.
In closing, she underscored the importance of tax compliance, stating that the most patriotic act any Mosotho can undertake is to pay their fair share to ensure the sustainability of their beautiful mountain kingdom.
