Tax Amnesty Bill 2004, Amendment to Constitution Bill 2004 up for Discussion During September Seating of Senate

In terms of the Tax Amnesty Bill, any tax irregularity, transgressions of the revenue laws administered by the Lesotho Revenue Authority and committed before 1st April 1999, will be completely forgiven. The forgiveness relates to the principal tax liability that accrued in that period as well as to the interest and penalties, civil and criminal.

It will also grant a "once-only" tax amnesty, to cover the period 1st April 1999 to 31st March 2003, with both dates inclusive, but this time covering only the interest and penalties, but not the principal tax liability.

Granted on condition that an applicant makes full or substantial disclosure of his or her tax irregularities, the amnesty period will be determined by the Minister of Finance, by notice published in the Government Gazette and is initially expected to cover four months, extendable for a further two months.

Applicants will be given opportunity to pay liabilities over a period of time agreed to with the Commissioner General of the Lesotho Revenue Authority. It will not ordinarily exceed a maximum of 24 months but may be extended on good cause, the release said.

Another outstanding business of the Senate is the review and examination of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution Bill 2003. Debate on the Bill wad adjourned on 19th February 2004 under Senate Standing Order No.41.

This Bill intends putting in place an Act that will, among others, remove the power to discipline Public Officers from the Public Service Commission and investing it in Heads of Departments, to expedite disciplining of errant officers.

All this work is in line with the primary constitutional role of Senate, examining and reviewing draft Legislation/Bills passed by the National Assembly. Senators are entitled to move amendments to Bills  subject to Standing Orders of the House.

01 September 2004