Tax payers voiced some concerns at a consultation meeting organized by the Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority last week. The meeting was organized to raise awareness amongst tax payers on the higher end of the scale.
Business owners told ERCA officials that employees at the authority sometimes forget that their role involves serving public interest.
There are corrupt and incompetent ERCA employees admitted Nebyu Samuel, Deputy Director of ERCA. The authority recognizes this gap and is working on capacity building through training and education he said.
Some businesses however are involved in illegal activities and attempt to subvert the laws and regulations said Nebyu.Participants at the meeting disagreed with the authority’s inclination to accuse businesses of illegal activities and levying punishment when training taxpayers could be more advisable.
Business owners also raised their dissatisfaction at not being properly notified of new regulations and laws before they are ratified.
The recent problems associated with business license renewal procedures were cited as a point in case. The new requirements introduced by the Ministry of Trade are prohibiting businesses from complying with the renewal deadline set by ERCA according to the participants of the meeting.
The Ministry of Trade is checking off the minimum requirements for license renewal to allow the relevant government body to certify the standard and quality of services provided explained Amakele Yimam, Head of Corporate Communication at the Ministry of Trade.
The Ministry is in the process of developing an online licensing system and is working on further developments in service said Amakele in response to complaints that the processes at trade ministry took too long.
Source: Capital
