Businesses urged to voluntarily declare taxes as MRA receives K50 billion

Businesses are being encouraged to voluntarily declare and pay their taxes as the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has received K50 billion in taxes from corporate taxpayers, a development seen as key to strengthening national revenue collection and supporting development priorities.

On Wednesday, Old Mutual Malawi presented to the MRA a total of K50 billion, representing taxes paid by its various business units, including life insurance, pension, and investment operations for the year 2025.

Speaking at the event, MRA Commissioner General Felix Tambulasi said the authority continues to promote voluntary tax compliance, stressing that taxpayers should be treated as partners in national development.

“We believe in partnerships, and we believe that taxpayers ought to be our partners. You can see what Old Mutual has done today to come forward and make a declaration of the taxes that they have paid.

“I would like to encourage other taxpayers to follow suit so that they should come forward voluntarily and declare what they have made at the end of the day and the taxes that they ought to pay,” said Tambulasi.

He said such cooperation between taxpayers and the authority is important in ensuring steady revenue flows that enable government to deliver essential public services.

Old Mutual Malawi Group Chief Executive Officer Tavona Biza said the company’s tax contribution reflects its 72-year presence in Malawi and its commitment to supporting national development.

“Paying our taxes is one of those things that is critical for us to make sure that we do our bit as a responsible citizen and make sure that Malawi continues to thrive,” said Biza.

He added that beyond tax payments, the group has invested significantly in corporate social responsibility initiatives, including bursaries for secondary school students, construction of school blocks across all regions of the country, and support for small and medium enterprises through development programmes.

Biza further highlighted investments in agriculture, including a major macadamia farming project, as well as infrastructure developments such as roads and communication towers, saying these demonstrate the company’s long-term commitment to Malawi’s economic growth.