Botswana Tax Authority Steps Up Efforts to Recover Arrears, Expands Enforcement Campaign

Botswana Tax Authority Steps Up Efforts to Recover Arrears, Expands Enforcement Campaign. Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) has intensified its efforts to identify and collect outstanding tax arrears from both individuals and businesses, aiming to maintain strong revenue streams amid economic recovery efforts.

Addressing press briefings in recent weeks, Commissioner General Jeanette Makgolo confirmed that BURS exceeded its 2023/24 revenue target, collecting BWP 59.6 billion—a record high—despite challenges in the diamond sector. This exceeded the initial target of BWP 59.2 billion.

A key driver of this achievement was a renewed focus on overdue accounts. BURS deployed boots-on-the-ground operations, including regional field inspections, targeted audits, and specific efforts to enforce timely filing and payment of PAYE and VAT liabilities.

On the customs front, the authority intensified post-clearance audits, stepped up border inspections to detect under-declared imports, and acted to recover deferred import duties. In addition, technology-driven initiatives—such as pre-clearance systems and electronic billing—continue to support compliance.

For businesses and entrepreneurs, the intensified enforcement campaign signals a shift toward stricter regulatory oversight. Those with outstanding tax obligations can expect:

• Follow-up visits by BURS teams
• Requests to settle arrears or engage in payment agreements
• Targeted audits if filings are delayed or incomplete

BURS has emphasized that these recovery measures are part of a larger strategy to ensure sustainable revenue accumulation and financial stability. With the 2024/25 fiscal year target set at BWP 70.5 billion, BURS is preparing for a further BWP 11.4 billion increase in revenue.

For Botswana’s business community, staying tax compliant now is more crucial than ever. Regular filing, accurate record-keeping, and proactive engagement with BURS will help reduce the risk of penalties, audits, or enforced collections. The message is clear: now is the time to get your tax affairs in order.