Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has intensified its efforts to bring real estate players onto the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS), with a fresh taxpayer engagement in Gulu aimed at explaining the recently amended requirements and helping businesses overcome challenges in using the system.
The Gulu engagement targeted real estate dealers affected by the new EFRIS requirements, as well as taxpayers who had already been onboarded but still needed additional support. URA officials used the meeting to explain the changes, answer questions from participants and guide them on how to use EFRIS properly in their daily business operations.Muzamil Aluma, Supervisor Tax Education at URA, said taxpayers should not be surprised by changes in tax requirements because laws and systems are regularly reviewed.
“Laws change over time and EFRIS is no different, we will take you through all the changes to make sure you use the system efficiently,” Aluma told the real estate dealers.One of the key issues discussed was the configuration of EFRIS accounts for real estate businesses. Aluma explained that taxpayers need to correctly indicate the nature of the services they provide so that their businesses are properly captured in the system. He also encouraged those dealing with rental arrears to keep proper records and provide the relevant information for tax purposes.
The discussions also gave taxpayers an opportunity to raise practical challenges they face when filing their rental income returns. Rather than leaving taxpayers to struggle with the system, URA officials encouraged them to seek guidance whenever they encounter difficulties so that mistakes can be addressed early and compliance improved.URA Commissioner General John Rujoki Musinguzi has emphasised the importance of taxpayer support as businesses adjust to EFRIS. “If we agree today and work together on the front of compliance, URA will dedicate a team to support you on EFRIS onboarding and provide written guidance and physical engagements to support you in regards to EFRIS,” Musinguzi said.During the Gulu meeting, taxpayers were taken through a live demonstration of EFRIS, giving them practical knowledge on how the system works.
Catherine Ayubo, Station Head of the URA Gulu office, appreciated taxpayers for contributing through tax payments and urged them to continue engaging the authority whenever they need clarification.“Don’t be stuck, if you haven’t understood something from here, come to office, we will hand hold you until you get how the system works,” Ayubo said. The Gulu engagement is part of a wider URA outreach programme, with similar sensitisation activities planned for landlords and real estate investors in Adjumani, Yumbe, Moyo and Arua as the authority continues to support taxpayers in understanding and complying with the amended EFRIS requirements.
