THE Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA)’s move from a cops’ and robbers’ approach to a client and service provider approach is making things easier for clients to comply with their tax obligations, according to the authority’s public relations manager, Pheello Mphana.

He told the media on Tuesday this week that since the introduction of the new strategy “Rea Aha” in 2018, the LRA had taken a major shift in the way it conducted its business.

“We have moved to a more relaxed service provider role through collaborative efforts with clients,” Mr Mphana said.

“It is our responsibility to make things easier for our clients. Our belief is that everybody wants to do the right thing and comply. We are no longer using enforcement strategies like it used to be in the past and it is not that people need to be pushed in order to comply.”

With the objective to improve assessment, collection and remittance of taxes to government, Mr Mphana said the tax authority would make sure clients felt free do business with them, acknowledging it would however take longer to achieve that goal.

He said the LRA had since outlined its service delivery standards, which were seen as a guiding policy and commitment to improved service to clients.

Modernising, digitising and empowering clients’ interaction using platforms that are faster and convenient are expected to improve tax collection by the authority. 

Mphana said some of the challenges that were received from clients included turnaround times that were too long, delays in responding to queries and clients with similar issues being treated differently.