Commission initiates projects to improve tax collection efforts

THE Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) has initiated 32 new projects to transform the organisation, commissioner-general Sam Koim says.
He said the projects would improve service delivery.
Koim made the comments following the announcement of record revenue collection of K1.28 billion for the first half of this year.
“Whilst enjoying the fruits of some of the early interventions, IRC has initiated 32 major projects to transform IRC into a robust, modern and efficient tax administration,” he said. The projects are rallied around seven main pillars, which includes an emphasis on effective collection, digital transformation and being a data-driven organisation.
“It is expected that once these projects are implemented, tax revenue collection will grow sustainably,”he said.
“The marked improvement in the performance of IRC is not without effort.”
Since taking office in August 2019, the commissioner-general has led the organisation to transform itself into a modern, robust and efficient tax administration.
“Consistent with that vision, IRC has introduced a number of strategic interventions, some of which are producing early result whilst others are major projects designed and executed to propel IRC to perform at an optimal level,”Koim said.
“Although IRC’s mandate is to collect taxes, IRC cannot effectively deliver on that mandate without improving the organisation.
“Consistent with this thinking, several strategic interventions were introduced to reshape the organisation so that our systems, processes and people flow in the exact synergy.”
Koim added that IRC was embarking on digital transformation.
“With the acquisition of new digital tools, IRC intends to automate most of its processes to reduce inefficiencies and maximise reliable data capture,”he said.
“The retender of the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) and the GST monitoring system tender will be out soon.
“All the tax certificates, led by certificate of compliances, will be QR coded soon. An external audit and penetration test were conducted in light of increasing cyber security risks and the need to ensure IRC’s IT network was adequately protected.
IRC is addressing the recommendations of the audit report.
“IRC is undertaking organisational redesign to separate headquarters design and monitoring functions from the operations.
“This realignment is intended to improve workflow, increase organisational agility, and performance.”