Gov’t Should First Protect Entertainment Industry Before Collecting Taxes- Hon. Lutaaya

By Kyeyune Ali

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has directed all persons earning an income from entertainment activities to have tax identification Number (TINs) and failure to comply will face it rough of paying fines and imprisonment.

URA noted that persons engaged in public entertainment a mong which include artists, performers, author, producers, promoters , event managers , recreational spaces owners, bar owners , and hostel owners must get tax identification numbers to enable onward collection of taxes in 2023.

On that regard Hon. Geoffrey Lutaya who is also a Singer said that “the government should first protect our business before collecting taxes and It will be automatically double taxation because we already pay taxes before the event this is due to the fact that banners and posters already they charge taxes on them.”

He adds that “Also the government should enforce music copyright to avoid looses in the entertainment and government should create ministry for entertainment to report our challenges and it will easy to solve some loopholes amongst entertainment in Uganda”.

The government insists all persons earning income from entertainment are obliged to register for taxes with Uganda revenue authority. URA noted that, indicated that failure to obtain the same shall attract a fine not exceeding 3 millions or imprisonment of six years or both conviction.

Uganda bureau of statistics estimates that collectively the service sector of entertainment can contribute 47.1 trillion to the economy. with holding tax applies to payments for both resident and non resident entertainers generating income within Uganda.

Taxes are filled to URA within 15 days after the end of the month the event was held , failure of which the person will be liable to a fine of 2 millions.