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The government has recently introduced a Bill to amend the Income Tax Act (Cap 52:01) in a bid to further reduce harmful tax practices as required by Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) framework. The effective date of the bill is not known at this stage.

Multinational company (MNC) groups typically tend to operate in several jurisdictions with a view to make their products and services available to their customers based in several locations. Often, the overall act of delivering its products or services to its end customers is spread across a number of legal entities located in different countries to ensure delivery of products or services to customers in the most efficient manner. MNC groups use the differential tax rates available in different countries to structure the inter-company pricing within their supply chains to optimize their tax costs.

Multinational company (MNC) groups typically tend to operate in several jurisdictions with a view to make their products and services available to their customers based in several locations. Often, the overall act of delivering its products or services to its end customers is spread across a number of legal entities located in different countries to ensure delivery of products or services to customers in the most efficient manner. MNC groups use the differential tax rates available in different countries to structure the inter-company pricing within their supply chains to optimize their tax costs.

You’re ready to grow your business, and we’re ready to help! Local Business Alert Hub connects you to timely local business insights on tax, corporate compliance, transfer pricing, IFRS, etc. Browse the hub or contact one of our advisors.

BURS has requested all tax payers to register for e-services and access their tax information online. BURS no longer accepts requests to print tax assessments, tax compliance report, and tax and VAT statements over the counter. Therefore, all tax payers are advised to register for BURS e-services and activate their online tax account with BURS.

Income Tax (Spedu Regional Development Approval) Order has been gazetted and the effective date has not yet been announced. The new Order provides income tax concession for income earned by a company which has an approved business in the Spedu region, which comprises of Selebi-Phikwe, Bobonong, Mmadinare, Sefophe, Lerale, Maunatlala, and neighboring villages, farms and cattle posts.

Botswana Budget 2018/19 gives vision into the implementation of transfer pricing laws in Botswana. Accordingly, Grant Thornton presents its insight on the matter in a series of alerts about transfer pricing, supported by local knowledge and experience of Rajesh Narasimhan, Taxation Partner.

The laws surrounding transfer pricing are becoming ever more complex, as tax affairs of multinational companies are facing scrutiny from media, regulators and the public. Accordingly, Grant Thornton presents its insight on the matter in a series of alerts about transfer pricing, supported by local knowledge and experience of Rajesh Narasimhan, Taxation Partner.

All tax payers will be required to file their personal tax returns online, due on or before 29 September 2017. View our alert for more information, to be read in conjunction with the “Application for eService form”.

BURS has implemented Custom Management System (CMS) replacing the old ASYCUDA ++ (Automated System for Custom Data) with effect 01 January 2017. The new CMS serves to enhance Customs related transactions at Botswana borders. Following the implementation of CMS, all tax payers having import /export transactions are required to register for e-Customs using e-Services with BURS. Presently, CMS is initiated at certain borders and will be applied to all entry points beginning 1st of Feb 2017. All borders will be CMS compliant by 31st March 2017.

With effect from 15th April 2015, taxpayers and authorized tax representative are advised that BURS will only accept bank guaranteed cheques to settle tax owing.

Certain amendments have been made to the Value Added Tax Act. These amendments are effective from 23 January 2015. BURS would expect anyone affected by the stated change to take appropriate steps with immediate effect.

The Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) has put into action changes on self-assessment tax payers.

Personal tax compliance timelines have been extended.

Certain changes have been implemented to BURS’s electronic funds transfer process.