MRA made an official launching of e-filing on the 21st of August 2009. The launching was made by Mr Dan Faugoo, Director, National Computer Board in the presence of Mr Hassamal, Chairperson, Mr Lal, Director General, MRA, Management team and members of the press. Mr Lal emphasized the pressing need to go paper less in line with the ‘Maurice Ile Durable’ concept and the multiple advantages in terms of efficiency both for the taxpayer and MRA. MRA also launched an e-corner comprising of an internet kiosk at the Customer Service Centre to promote e-filing and encourage taxpayers without internet facilities to do e-filing on the premises of the MRA.

This year MRA provided e-filing facilities to traders (individual taxpayers filing IT 1). MRA launched a media campaign to inform taxpayers of the facilities offered, its benefits and the mode of operation. Posters were affixed in government sectors, para-public organizations, large companies and in secondary institutions to apprise the general public of e-filing scheme. An informative leaflet on e-filing was published and made available at the MRA Customer Service Centre to be used by taxpayers as a guide for e-filing.

To promote e-filing, MRA introduced a lottery scheme with 16 prizes for a total of Rs 200 000. The draw will be held on the 14th of October 2009 at MRA head quarters, Port Louis, under the supervision of the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). As from 1st September 2009, MRA started an intensive radio and TV campaign to inform taxpayers of the facilities offered and also to remind them of the submission deadline.

On 26th and 27th of September MRA operated 17 Free Income Tax Assistance (FITA) throughout the island, including Rodrigues. Some 6800 taxpayers visited the regional FITA centres and benefited from e-filing facilities and assistance from MRA officers. Those centres were equipped with cash offices to enable taxpayers to effect their income tax payment either in cash or by cheque in the FITA centres nearest to their residence.

Two MRA officers from Mauritius flew to Rodrigues in connection of FITA Rodrigues. In collaboration with SEHDA a briefing session with SMEs was organized on 26th September 2009. Various tax issues such as PAYE, Interest income and National Residential Property Tax were discussed. Those officers were also available at the Port Mathurin Passenger Terminal on 28th, 29th and 30th September 2009 to assist Rodriguans in filing their income tax returns and payment of income tax, if any.

To facilitate taxpayers paying their taxes, MRA opened its cash office till 18.00 hours 28th and 29th September and till 20.00 hours on 30th September 2009.

The result of the e-filing campaign is a resounding success. The number of e-filers reached 26 000 this year as compared with 9 940 last year.

(Click here for pictures of filing 2009/10)