2023/24 Budget Highlights: See URA's strategies for revenue collection, economic growth

The government aims to increase the GDP from its current 13.5% to 14.6% by the end of the financial year 2023/24. To achieve this target, URA focuses on expanding the tax base, implementing strong tax regulation programs, sensitising taxpayers, leveraging technology, and promoting key sectors such as commercial agriculture, industrialization, and tourism.

Expanding the Tax Base

To expand the tax base, URA utilizes available data to identify taxable individuals and entities. By establishing inter-institutional connections with organizations such as NIRA, KCCA, and investment authorities, URA can identify and register new taxpayers.

Through massive digital transformation and applicability, URA aims to ensure that all eligible individuals and non-individuals are included in the tax register.

This strategic approach has already led to the identification of 1.5 million taxpayers in the previous financial year, contributing to an expanded tax base.

Taxpayer Sensitisation

URA emphasises the importance of taxpayer awareness by educating citizens about their rights and obligations.

By promoting campaigns like "Mpa e-Receipt Yange" and recognizing exemplary taxpayers, URA strives to create a balanced equation of taxation and prevent the abuse of taxpayer rights.

Strengthening the role of tax agents is crucial to avoiding mistakes and reducing tax liabilities faced by taxpayers. These efforts enhance overall compliance and ensure that taxpayers file accurate returns and pay the right amount of taxes.

Technological Advancements

Leveraging technology is essential for improving services and enhancing the taxpayer experience.

URA has implemented various technological solutions, such as online filing systems, USSD payment codes, and digital tracking systems. These advancements allow taxpayers to file returns and make payments conveniently, while also enabling URA to monitor transactions and facilitate faster refunds.

Technologies like EFRIS platforms, system-to-system connections, and web applications contribute to accuracy in assessments and enable efficient management of local market sales, payments, and imports.

Economic Growth Strategies

To achieve full monetization of Uganda's economy, URA focuses on key areas such as commercial agriculture, industrialization, services, digital transformation, and market access. These goals are supported by resource allocation, infrastructure development, and public-private partnerships.

Investments in upgrading infrastructure, promoting small solar projects, establishing industrial parks, and supporting tourism contribute to market growth and job creation.

Additionally, investments in peace, security, and financial transparency through international collaborations further enhance Uganda's economic prospects.

URA's Strategic Objectives

URA aims to enhance revenue mobilization, strengthen taxpayer relationships, improve compliance, invest in e-commerce, reconcile ledgers, expedite the issuance of Tax Credit Certificates (TCC), provide WHT exemptions, and resolve cases efficiently.

Emphasizing voluntary tax payment schemes and sharing financial flows abroad through international agreements are key priorities.

URA also plans to redefine its pillars, focusing on values, integrity, and professionalism to eliminate corruption. These objectives ensure that URA operates effectively and efficiently, contributing to sustainable revenue collection and economic growth in Uganda.

Therefore, with its mandate to collect revenue and contribute to Uganda's economic sovereignty, the Uganda Revenue Authority employs various strategies to expand the tax base, sensitize taxpayers, leverage technology, and drive economic growth. By implementing these measures, URA aims to achieve its goals and secure the country's financial future while ensuring fair and balanced taxation for all citizens and businesses.