Kigali, 13 October 2017 – Speaking at the Taxpayers’ Appreciation Day at Kigali Convention Centre, Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente called business owners to be compliant and avoid evading taxes as the later contribute to the country’s economic development. 

Prime Minister appreciated these who pay well their taxes saying that taxes are very important in the country’s struggle for self-reliance, while urging on the other hand, those who still fail to comply with tax rules to change their minds.

“Every one knows that no country can develop without the contribution of its citizens, especially through taxes. We remind those who don’t pay their taxes well and those who don’t pay them at all to change their mind-set and understand that paying taxes is everyone’s obligation.” Prime Minister said.

This year’s event was organised under the theme “My Tax, My Development, My Dignity’, a theme that Prime Minister Ngirente described as important in reminding Rwandans about one of the best ways they can build a self-reliant country.

This year Rwanda Revenue Authority collected Rwf1, 102.8 billion for the financial year 2016/17, which exceeded the target for the fiscal year by Rwf8.6 billion.

Local government revenue collections also increased in comparison to previous years, with Rwf47.9 billion collected at the district level in the past financial year 2016/17 against the target of Rwf49.2 billion, while Rwf40.5 billion was raised from local government for the financial year 2015/16.

Taxpayers’ Appreciation Day is an annual event organised by the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) to extend gratitude to esteemed compliant taxpayers and their contribution towards economic development of the country.