WINDHOEK, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) is ramping up efforts to tackle tax evasion within the fishing industry, the agency's spokesperson Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze said Thursday in a statement.
NamRA has implemented targeted actions to curb revenue leakage and hold tax offenders accountable, Ndorokaze said, highlighting that the fishing industry has historically been a minimal contributor to the national treasury, with significant sums paid to directors and other key members often going undeclared and untaxed.
"The ongoing investigations focus on the sale of fishing quotas by rights holders, among others. Additionally, the analysis is targeting beneficial ownership and transactions with related entities concerning vessel ownership and the export of products," he said.
From May 1 to July 19, NamRA issued administrative summonses and raised tax assessments to establish the tax liabilities of those involved. Subsequently, commercial banks and other third parties were appointed to pay over funds for the tax debts owed by identified taxpayers.
Ndorokaze said this initiative has already recovered 20 million Namibia dollars (about 1.1 million U.S. dollars) from 14 fishing companies.
"NamRA is collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, particularly the Namibian Police, the Office of the Prosecutor General, and the Financial Intelligence Center, to carry out parallel financial investigations," he said.
Ndorokaze emphasized NamRA's commitment to enhancing its enforcement capabilities to improve compliance with tax laws.
"We urge all taxpayers to ensure voluntary compliance with the tax laws," he said, noting that targeted efforts will continue across various sectors of the economy. ■
