It is illegal to write off MBC tax arrears, says MRA expert
A tax expert has doubted revenue collectors, the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) can write off tax arrears debt, saying this is illegal.
The expert, who did not want to be named as he works for the public tax collector, said this in view of the request by state controlled Malawi Broadcsting Corporation (MBC) to write off K4.5 billion tax arrears.
Director of News and Programs at MBC Geofrey Kazembe on Thursday lobbied legislators to convince the government write off the tax arrears.
However, the tax expert said the law is very clear on the issue that no tax arrears can be written off.
“Probably what the government can do is to pay the tax arrears on behalf of MBC,” said the expert.
The revelation that MBC owes MRA K4.5 billion in tax arrears has shocked the nation as the revenue collector has rushed to close private media institutions with tax arrears much smaler than that of MBC.
MRA has closed down Times Group on several occasions on tax arrears reasons.
Chairman of Media, Informaton and Communicaton of parliament Sam Kawale threw out Kazembe’s request for MPs to lobby the government to write off the MRA debt.
“That is an administrative issue beyond the scope of our committee,” he said.
Commissioer general of MRA Thom Malata said his organisation is in talks with Treasury to see how best to recover its money.
Phillip Business we need TV program on this subject
Hahahaha! A Steven Kapoloma, many times without number we have been telling you that you are being used by DPP to gag, harass and embarrass these other privately owned media houses and individuals by pouncing on them over unpaid taxes. You have all along been denying these accusations saying MRA is an independent entity. Now we have been vindicated by these shocking revelations. You see, Malawi of today is totally different from the 1980 Malawi. Today Malawians are able to see, hear, observe, analyse critically, judge and act because of democracy. MBC must face the wrath because what belongs to… Read more »
We are being led by a govt infested by crocodile thieves.which is why Malawi as a country will never develop under such crop of leaders.The 4.5 billion covers lots of secrets and there are a million questions than answers.Ngati inu a MBC mudazolowera and colluded to steal taxpayers money time is over !! I wish you shud be given k1 allocation.You are a useless station to Malawians bcoz arrogant and unpatriotic politicians use yu as a tool to discredit Malawians.
Sumbuletaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa woyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
hardwork, integrity and patriotism, tiye nazoni. MBC ibweretse mafumu ayankhulupo mwachindunji.
ITS NOT UP TO MRA TO TALK TO TREASURY DIRECTLY. LET MRA ASK MBC TO HONOUR ITS TAX OBLIGATION AND ITS UP TO MBC TO LIAISE WITH TREASURY. I DOUBT IF MPs CAN LOBBY FOR MORE RESOURCES TO MBC JUDGING FROM THE WAY MBC TREATS THE OPPOSITION.
a Kazembe who told yu or where in the world that tax arrears can be written off? why? becoz yu are MBC? VERY DISGUSTING.musazolowere izi. 4.5 billion belongs to the people of Malawi for development.Ask ur master the DPP gvt to pay for you.Otherwise ur request is kindergarten and it was right parliament threw out your request as nonsense.BRAVO ! chairman and your committee of media,information &communication of Parliament for high sense of integrity and patriotism.WE ARE KIN FOLLOWING WHAT PARLIAMENT IS DOING TO PROTECT 1.3 TRILLION BUDGET from thieves.
Tell us the truth. What form of taxes are these? To me it does NOT make any sense just to say taxes. For example, It would be the highest stupidity to write off Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Withholding Taxes (WHT). Because these taxes are directly deducted from some one and are supposed to be remitted to MRA by a specific date. So what really is it? And for how long have these been outstanding?
If they are these type of taxes, then this government is full of thieves that will never help us the Malawi citizens.