By Yiep Joseph
Central Equatoria State (CES) has urged South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) to reconsider its recent statement on tax collection, citing that it obstructs clients from making payments.
The revenue collection issue began this month when the CES Revenue Authority notified several non-governmental organizations and companies within its territory to pay taxes, a move that was met with resistance from the SSRA.
In response, the SSRA issued a statement asserting that only the national government is authorized to collect public revenue, condemning the state revenue authority for its actions.
The response clarified that the SSRA is the only body legally mandated to collect public revenue.
Following a Central Equatoria State Economic Cluster meeting, Alex Latiyo, the secretary of the CES Economic Cluster, expressed that the SSRA’s statement has become an obstacle to tax collection.
“The CES government and the state ministerial economic cluster urge the National Revenue Authority to revisit their statement, as it has impeded the collection of revenue that rightfully belongs to CES,” Latiyo stated.
“We appeal to the National Revenue Authority to collaborate with the state to seal all revenue leakages and address any loopholes affecting revenue collection in the state,” he added.
Latiyo noted that the state economic cluster discussed the matter and confirmed that the state government has the legal mandate to collect taxes, urging the SSRA to reconsider its statement.
“After in-depth deliberation and scrutiny, it was confirmed that the CES Revenue Authority is collecting its revenue sources in line with Article 179 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, which grants CES and other states exclusive powers to collect revenues,” he said.
He emphasized that the CES government, like any other state, is acting within the constitutional framework regarding revenue collection.
Latiyo also mentioned that CES is working closely with the National Revenue Authority to harmonize tax revenue.
“The CES government met with a committee from the national government, and they are collaborating to ensure that revenues are harmonized to avoid duplication in the state,” he stated.
The state government rejected the impression from the SSRA that the eighth governor’s resolution was not binding for states like CES in tax collection.
“It is regrettable that this statement is coming from a senior official in the National Revenue Authority. The governors’ forum resolution is legally binding; it pertains not only to revenue but also to governance issues,” he said.
“I urge the Revenue Authority to reconsider that statement as it deviates from governance logic,” he added.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to implementing national policies, including the resolutions and recommendations of the governors’ forum.
“The CES is dedicated to implementing all government resolutions and policies to enhance governance, diversify the economy, and stabilize the country,” he said.
In a related note, Moses Idoru, CES Commissioner of Revenue Authority, urged taxpayers to understand that the state does not scramble for taxes but operates within the constitutional and legal framework.
“All our clients should understand that we do not arbitrarily collect taxes; we operate within the law and follow established schedules as part of tax collection,” he said.
“We look forward to cooperating with any other institution involved in tax collection to ensure that we collect taxes for the state within the law for effective service delivery,” he added.
He urged the South Sudan Revenue Authority to allow the state to collect revenue without interference.