…warns of penalties for late submissions and payments
Moroke Sekoboto
THE Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) has urged taxpayers to submit their tax returns before Tuesday’s filing deadline to avoid penalties and additional taxes.
The appeal was made during an event hosted jointly by RSL and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) at the RSL Social Club on Friday.
The engagement brought together stakeholders to discuss progress made during the filing season, the challenges encountered and preparations for the final days before the deadline.
RSL Senior Marketing and Client Education Officer, Mohale Motenalapi, said paying taxes was a legal obligation and an important contribution to the country’s social and economic development.
“With only days remaining before Tuesday’s midnight cutoff, we are urging all individuals, businesses and sole proprietors to immediately submit their Income Tax Returns and settle any outstanding balances to avoid severe financial penalties,” Mr Motenalapi said.
He said the annual tax season, which commenced on 1 April, had entered its peak period, with thousands of taxpayers rushing to meet the deadline.
Mr Motenalapi warned that under existing tax laws, late submissions and delayed payments automatically attracted penalties and interest charges, which cannot be waived in cases of negligence.
To cope with the last-minute rush, RSL has deployed additional support teams at its service centres nationwide. However, he encouraged taxpayers to use digital platforms rather than joining long queues at physical offices.
“We advise everyone not to wait until the final hours on June 30. Filing early online ensures that any system bottlenecks or documentation errors can be resolved before additional taxes kick in,” he said.
Mr Motenalapi added that taxpayers requiring assistance can access step-by-step filing guides, tax credit calculators and digital payment portals through the official RSL website.
RSL Public Relations Manager, Tšepang Mncina, said tax compliance was a shared responsibility that directly contributes to national development.
“Taxes collected by government support the delivery of essential public services, including healthcare, education, infrastructure development, security and social protection programmes,” Ms Mncina said.
She encouraged taxpayers to submit accurate returns and make payments on time to avoid penalties, additional taxes and unnecessary inconveniences.
Ms Mncina further highlighted the importance of voluntary compliance in building a fair and sustainable tax system in which every taxpayer contributes their fair share towards the country’s development.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to improving service delivery, we continue to invest in digital transformation and taxpayer support services. We encourage taxpayers to make use of the available online platforms, offices and support channels for guidance and assistance throughout the filing season,” she said.
Meanwhile, MISA Lesotho Secretary General, Selloane Nyakane, thanked RSL for its continued support of the Press Club engagements.
“As journalists, we operate in an environment that is constantly changing. Every day presents new challenges, whether it is access to information, misinformation, safety concerns or the pressure to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Yet our responsibility remains the same: to inform the public accurately, fairly and responsibly,” Ms Nyakane said.
She said the Press Club provided journalists with an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on issues affecting both the media profession and society.
“They allow us to learn from one another, share experiences and collectively reflect on how we can strengthen journalism and better serve the public interest. As we gather here today, I encourage open, constructive and respectful engagement. Let us use this platform not only to ask important questions but also to explore solutions and opportunities that can help move our profession forward,” Ms Nyakane said.
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