Government of Lesotho Enhances Efficiency in Tax Collection and Financial Management Systems
	The Ministry of Finance is undergoing reform in order to enhance efficiency in tax collection and financial management systems of Government. To this end, two pieces of legislation have been passed by Parliament, namely, the Value Added Tax Act. No. 9 of 2001 and Lesotho Revenue Authority No. 14 of 2001. These provide a framework for the replacement of the current Sales Tax, with Value Added Tax to be effected later this year (2002), as well as introduction of a semi autonomous Revenue Authority that merges the functions of the departments of Customs, Income Tax and Sales Tax. The new authority, that will employ private sector styles of management and the introduction of Value Added Tax are aimed at maximising tax collection, thus, enabling equitable distribution of resources by Government through provision of infrastructure and services geared towards poverty eradication. The Ministry of Finance is pursuing more vigorous efforts of tax collection. In partnership with the Crown Agents Consultancy of the United Kingdom, the Ministry is conducting operations at the boarder gates and necessary follow-ups at business sites with a view to identifying and correcting weaknesses in methods and systems of Customs and Sales operations. To facilitate the operations, the public is requested to provide the necessary cooperation. The Crown Agents Consultancy is represented by Messrs Roy Jackson and Malcom Gray.
	SOURCE: THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS/FINANCE - 18/01/2002