By: Lebohang Maluke
MASERU -Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) and Econet Sasai announce the official launch of their joint venture, a collaboration that pronounces the introduction of digital e-payment services for tax payments.
Speaking at the launch event, Mrs. ‘Mathabo Makoko, Commissioner General of RSL, hails the partnership as a significant step forward in modernizing Lesotho’s tax collection processes and improving the convenience and accessibility of tax payments for citizens.
“This event marks the significant milestones ongoing digitalization journey to enhance our services to the tax payers and the nation.” Mrs. Makoko elaborates on this successful official declaration testimony.
The partnership between RSL and Sasai Econet Financial Services is part of the country’s ongoing efforts to digitize its tax payment process and enhance financial inclusion. The collaboration seeks to simplify and streamline the tax payment process, allowing citizens to make payments from their mobile devices without visiting RSL offices or waiting in lines. This move not only brings Lesotho’s tax system in line with global digital trends, but also offers greater convenience and accessibility to citizens, particularly those who live in remote areas or lack access to traditional banking services.
Vodacom Lesotho had introduced a similar mobile money tax payment system in partnership with RSL in the past, and the results were overwhelmingly positive. With this prior success, Econet Sasai is confident that the new collaboration with RSL will also be well-received by citizens.
The tremendous positive feedback received from the Vodacom Lesotho collaboration encouraged to explore similar partnerships with integrating Econet Sasai into the payment system which is beneficial to all tax-payers regardless to their different areas where Econet operates.
The integration of Ecocash into the tax payment system will enable citizens to make their tax payments from their Ecocash wallets with a few simple taps on their mobile devices as less charges. Sasai Econet Financial Services is popular mobile money transfer platform, which has a significant user base in Lesotho. This integration marks a significant milestone in the digital transformation of the country’s tax collection processes
She further elaborates that Revenue Services Lesotho is committed to delivering efficient, transparent, and easy-to-use services to taxpayers. This collaboration with Econet Sasai aligns with the RSL’s mission by offering digital solutions that enhance convenience, efficiency, and transparency in the tax collection process.
Recognizing that change is not always easy, and they are truly grateful to taxpayers’ willingness to embrace digital solutions and make life simpler for themselves. As they move forward with their digitization efforts, they hope to continue receiving feedback and support from the taxpayers.
Mr. Moiloa Tota, the product developer, elaborates on the expected technical steps for digital tax payment. For instance, the system will display domestic taxes in red and provide a comprehensive list of all registered tax types, such as VAT and ‘pay as you earn.’ Users will be able to view their remaining tax statements, confirm the amount to be paid, and proceed to checkout. This digital payment system is available for individuals in Lesotho, ensuring all necessary confirmations at every step.
Mr. Tota adds that digitizing the tax payment process offers numerous advantages not just for citizens but also for the Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) and the economy as a whole. By allowing clients to file all their documents online, RSL reduces the need for in-person visits, leading to increased efficiency and reduced costs.
This shift towards online services aligns with the government’s broader aim of digitizing the economy, thereby encouraging economic growth and improving financial inclusion. In addition to simplifying the payment process, digitizing tax collection enables clients to access their tax certificates and other documentation online. Once a payment is made, clients can download and print their certificates directly from the platform, eliminating the wait for physical documents. This digital approach to document management saves time and resources while reducing the risk of loss or damage to important documents.
Mr. Moiloa stresses that the digitization of tax payments will not only streamline the process for taxpayers, but also offer a range of benefits, including: Convenience to the taxpayers in accessing their statements and payment history online, allowing for easier recordkeeping and management of tax-related documentation. Transparency with all records and transactions stored digitally, taxpayers can have greater confidence in the accuracy and fairness of their tax assessments.
“Comparatively, the less charges are to be provided as Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL) is running business so the tax payers might not even realise that they paid the charges.” Mr. Lehlohonolo Matee Legal and Governance Manager at ETL states as a person using Ecocash can easily access taxing paying through Sasai Econet Financial Services.
RSL has made it easier for the taxpayers to access more information and e-payment through their website for paying the tax as an advantage of the digital tax payment services. In addition to their user-friendly website, taxpayers can also access these services by dialling the toll-free number 80022009.