The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Times of visiting banking halls and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) offices to file tax returns could be over as the tax body continues to partner with financial institutions and telecom companies to offer online payment solutions.
Stanbic bank, which collects a third of URA’s annual revenue target, is the latest bank to join URA’s online platform to enable tax payers use its VISA card, MasterCard or MTN mobile money to pay taxes in the comfort of their offices, homes and other convenient places using internet enabled devices.
Speaking at the launch of the platform on Feb.05 at URA headquarters in Kampala, officials said in order to use the new payment solution, one would have to log onto the URA website (https://ura.go.ug) and request for a payment registration number (PRN), then use the Stanbic payment tab by simply entering the relevant Visa/MasterCard or MTN mobile money account details and following the prompts.
The new partnership comes at a time government agencies are inventing measures to support private sector growth through easing the cost of doing business across sectors.
URA’s platform with Stanbic has been operational since December last year as a pilot and has facilitated payment and collection of Shs 74 million as at Jan.31.
Meanwhile, similar partnerships with other banks – United Bank of Africa, Barclays and Orient – since March last year the platform has overall facilitated collection of Shs4.5bn.
Stanbic Bank CEO, Patrick Mweheire and Patrick Mukiibi, the acting commissioner general for URA said they trust the online solution.
“Through this platform we are providing a gateway into URA’s payment systems; we are moving away from physical branches to using digital platforms to pay tax,” Mweheire said.
URA’s Mukiibi said over 60% of the revenue collected via the platform relates to Kampala Capital City Authority licenses, National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and passport fees while the rest covers direct taxes.
