Overview:
Stakeholders say a meeting should be organised by URA to sensitise them about the whole process.
Events promoters, musicians and others who earn from the entertainment industry have urged Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to carry more sensitisation in regard to the requirement that they must get Tax Identification Numbers (TINs).
In a December newsletter titled ‘Taxation of entertainment events,’ URA noted that persons engaged in public entertainment, among which include, artistes, performers, authors, producers, promoters, event managers, recreational space owners, bar owners and hotel owners must get TINs to enable onward collection of taxes.
“All persons earning income from entertainment are obliged to register for taxes with URA. A TIN … acts as an account of a taxpayer,” URA noted, indicating that failure to obtain the same shall attract a fine not exceeding Shs3m or imprisonment of six years or both on conviction if the failure is done knowingly or recklessly.
But the stakeholders say a meeting should be organised by URA to sensitise them about the whole process.
Events promoter Balaam Barugahara said: “Dear fellow promoters, artists and venue owners kindly get Tin numbers as directed by URA, So we may contribute to the country’s growth together. Dear Commissioner General URA, Kindly arrange a stake holders meeting so we may agree on best way to tax art industry.”
“Dear fellow promoters, artists and venue owners kindly get Tin numbers as directed by URA, So we may contribute to the country’s growth together. Dear Commissioner General URA, Kindly arrange a stake holders meeting so we may agree on best way to tax art industry,”
Balaam Barugahara, EVENTS PROMOTER
Calvin the entertainer said: “Start by sensitising, workshops, engage, partner/sponsor music shows, it will yield results.”
Veteran media personality Bryan McKenzie Sabiiti said: “But URA, what about sensitizing the people you want to collect tax from on how to go about it instead of making threats. It doesn’t come in good faith and that’s why many always avoid it.”
The TIN, URA said, will enable public entertainment event owners to withhold tax on payments and charge value added tax.
Withholding Tax applies to payments for both resident and non-resident entertainers generating income within Uganda.
Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimates that collectively, the services sector where entertainment belongs contributes Shs47.1 trillion to the economy, which points to potential of the entertainment sector as a key revenue contributor.