RRA warns customers against paying excessive amounts for EBM receipts

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has issued a warning to customers who pay inflated prices for products in exchange for Electronic Billing Machine (EBM) receipts, stating that such actions contribute to tax evasion and will result in penalties for both the seller and the customer.

Residents of Kigali have reported instances where, upon requesting an EBM receipt, they are asked to pay additional money beyond the product’s actual cost. This practice forces customers to comply, as the only alternative is to forgo the receipt and risk having their goods confiscated by RRA officials during inspections.

Sellers explain that these actions are driven by the high taxes they face, but they are operating in violation of the law, which mandates that every transaction must be accompanied by a valid EBM receipt.

Ernest Karasira, in charge of provincial and local taxes at RRA, emphasized that both parties involved in such practices—whether the seller or the customer—will face penalties. “We have taken measures to address this issue, working in collaboration with local authorities and law enforcement,” he stated, highlighting that violators have already been arrested.

RRA also stressed that customers who agree to pay extra for an EBM receipt are being unfairly charged, as VAT (Value Added Tax) should be paid by the customer as part of the purchase. The Authority is urging buyers to be vigilant and protect their rights when faced with unreasonable demands for additional payments.