Tax administration: Business operators laud MINFI’s reforms, push for more.

This was during a meeting in Douala with the Director General of Taxation, Roger Athanase Meyong. 

Speakers at the meeting from among the business leaders and the taxation department stated that, reforms which Minister Motaze introduced in the tax system are paying off.

The taxation boss during the meeting engaged the business leaders on the preparation of the 2025 State budget. He underscored that the goal is to get the support of the business community in enabling government meet internal revenue targets.

Grouped under the auspices of the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Artisan, CCIMA, the business leaders presented 18 proposals to the government. They expressed the wish to see the State implement the proposals in the 2025 fiscal year.

Economic operators also saluted the initiative of the government to dialogue with them on financial issues. This, they said, will create an atmosphere of efficiency.

Among other things, they expressed concerns over the frequency with which business documents issued to them get expired. The prayed the powers that be to extend the validity period of documents especially from the taxation department.

They also noted that the rules guiding the renewal of expired business documents are becoming more complicated. This, they said, is happening at a time they are instead expecting government to rather ease procedures for them. They therefore called on the government, through the taxation department to simplify procedures for business operators.

They also urged authorities to empower inspectors of businesses to be able to get ample information on what is happening on the field. Albert Motsou, member of CCIMA said  the visit of tax officials from the central desk rather promotes corruption and unethical practices.

Calls for changes 

Representatives of big companies, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, SMEs, among others, highlighted innovations like the electronic tax declaration, communal taxes, tax on revenue among others as needing a review.

On fiscal regimes, the operators also highlighted constraints including the amount of cash transactions they engage in. They also pointed out that the ceiling of 100,000 FCFA fixed by the government is too low. They therefore pleaded with the government to raise the limit to 500,000 FCFA.

They also deplored the fact that government collects 5% tax on what they have in their accounts. This, they said, results in the inefficient management of businesses. They urged government to tax them based on anticipated business turnover. 

The proposals handed to taxation officials are said to   have been agreed on during a CCIMA, General Assembly of August 26. Before the meeting, the government had tasked business operators to come up with a comprehensive list of reform proposals in prelude to the drafting of the 2025 State Budget.

The businesspersons are said to have announced at the meeting that CCIMA now has regional branches nationwide. They urged business leaders to avail themselves of the advantage of proximity to transact their tax affairs and other businesses in the regional offices at the regional levels.

The meeting ended with the Chamber of Commerce assuring business operators that the Director General of Taxation will hand over their proposals to the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze. 

The Minister is expected to present the proposals to the National Assembly for scrutiny, debate and possible adaption.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3214 of Friday August 30, 2024