BURS exceeds P50 billion tax collection target
Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) has not just met but exceeded its set collection goal of P51.199 billion and is now aiming for a revenue milestone of P70 billion for the 2024/25 period.
Commissioner General of BURS, Jeanette Makgolo, expressed her joy on Tuesday, highlighting that through teamwork, perseverance, innovation, and unwavering focus, achieving ambitious targets is entirely feasible.
It is their belief that had the month-end not coincided with the three days’ holiday, BURS would have collected more as they always collect more during the last day of the month.
Briefing the media this week, Makgolo revealed that she and her team were celebrating three achievements; having surpassed the target, the BURS Sporting club having emerged the overall winner of the Southern Africa Inter-Revenue Authorities’ Games played in Lesotho over the Easter holiday, as well as her being honoured with a Certificate of Commendation by the African Leadership Magazine Organisation at the African Persons of the Year 2024 Awards held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 15th of March 2024.
Makgolo described the award as recognition of driving BURS in its commitment to promoting administrative excellence, fostering trade facilitation, integrity innovation, and economic growth across Africa. Makgolo announced that as at 31st March 2024, preliminary accounts indicate that the tax revenue collected as at 31st March 2024 is P59.566 billion, surpassing the target of P59.199 billion by P367 million (0.62percent).
She said this collection will go into the annals of history since it marks the highest figure that BURS has ever attained since its establishment. Makgolo emphasised that the 31st of March holds immense significance for both the Botswana Unified Revenue Service and the Government of Botswana. "This date signifies the conclusion of the fiscal year, and we have convened today to celebrate our remarkable accomplishments. We have successfully met our targets for the 2023/24 financial year, a milestone that seemed improbable to many.
“This achievement is particularly meaningful considering the journey we have embarked on together throughout the year 2023/24," she said, adding that their proactive and focused Rapid Response Revenue Mobilisation Strategy has yielded positive outcomes. She said it is evident that despite unfavourable macroeconomic conditions affecting revenue collection, especially during the second and third quarters when diamond sales declined, their success in meeting these targets is not merely a stroke of luck, but rather reflects the concerted efforts and dedication of the forward-thinking individuals at BURS, as well as their valued stakeholders. She pointed out that this year's Easter holidays coincided with the conclusion of the financial year, resulting in the loss of three crucial business days.
Thus, she expressed deep appreciation to all BURS staff for their unwavering dedication and hard work. She emphasised the importance of adopting a multifaceted approach during the revenue drive, targeting both domestic and customs taxes. "Our Domestic tax measures included establishment of a war room for daily strategisation on revenue drive, robust debt recovery strategies such as our 'boots on the ground' operation across various regions, Gaborone, Francistown, Maun, Central, Chobe, ensuring timely filing, as well as following up on outstanding PAYE and VAT returns, and Targeted revenue-generating audits."
On the customs front, she said targeted post-clearance audits, Recoveries from outstanding deferred accounts debts, Combating undervaluation, Roadblocks by Anti-Smuggling Team Unit, Utilising of the pre-clearance facility and intensifying border inspections came in handy. Makgolo outlined the path towards achieving the revenue target of P70.576 billion for the 2024/25 fiscal year, representing an increase of P11.377 billion (19.22 percent) compared to the revised budget of P59.199 billion for 2023/24.
She detailed several initiatives aimed at improving compliance, including the introduction of track and trace technology for excisable goods, implementation of a transit monitoring system to prevent diversion and local dumping of transit-declared goods, adoption of an electronic VAT billing system, and expansion of taxpayer education nationwide to promote greater awareness and understanding of tax responsibilities. Makgolo expressed sincere gratitude to all individuals who fulfilled their tax obligations promptly during the 2023/24 fiscal year.
She emphasised that their diligence in meeting these obligations played a vital role in the organisation's success. She also encouraged them to persist in their efforts to enhance compliance, underscoring the collective contribution to the growth and advancement of their beloved nation.