Ministry of Finance Struggles to Meet Tax Revenue Collection Target

“So far as from Independence 1990, there is no taxi owner or taxi driver that has paid tax so far to Government ,” said Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) President Mr. Werner Januarie. “That is one of the things that we are advocating that the industry, either the drivers or either the owners should start paying tax to Government,” Januarie added. Januarie also warned of a national taxi strike scheduled for this month. More on that in Spotlight news next week.

Meanwhile speaking to Spotlight news on tax evaders, the importance of paying tax and the proposed Revenue Agency, PWC Tax Learder, Mr. Stefan Hugo said individuals earning more than N$50 000.00 per year have to register and pay income tax on that legislation. When asked why taxi owners/drivers and landlords are not taxed, Hugo stressed that they should pay tax, explaining that as an individual they get to a threshold of N$ 50 000.00 or a business within a Closed Corporation (cc) or a company you pay tax at the 32% tax rate from the first dollar that you earn as a landlord or a taxi owner.

Who are evading tax? Should taxi drivers and taxi owners start paying tax? Do landlords pay tax? Who are the real culprits evading tax? To shed light on these questions Spotlight news sat down with PWC Tax Leader Mr. Stefan Hugo and Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) President Mr. Werner Januarie.

-Article and Interviews by Maggie Forcelledo