The Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), Simon Akuei Deng, has issued a stern warning to staff over the granting of tax exemptions, describing the practice as detrimental to national revenue collection.
Speaking at a ceremony for the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner General at SSRA headquarters, Deng emphasized that even the President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has called for strict adherence to taxation rules.
“Our President mentioned that even if it is me bringing goods, please tax me. Who is this other person who is encouraging exemptions?” Deng asked.
He highlighted that exemptions are often given illegally to importers at low costs, leading to significant revenue losses for the country.
“The same importer does not reduce prices in the market because you have helped him. So, the whole country loses. You don’t benefit from prices, nor do you benefit from revenues,” Deng warned, urging staff to handle public funds responsibly and ensure all importers are taxed.
The remarks follow concerns raised by outgoing Deputy Commissioner General Taban Abel, who described the pressures faced by SSRA staff to approve exemptions at entry points.
Abel recalled being intimidated by a powerful individual seeking tax-free imports.
“If we give these exemptions because of people who say that if we don’t do that, we will leave office, then we don’t collect enough revenue. It is just being between a rock and a hard place,” Abel said.
“Some exemptions, Hon. Commissioner General, I even refused at home to sign. Because when I sign, it means I am the one who did that,” he added.
At the same event, Deputy Minister of Finance Yien Gach called on the SSRA to strengthen tax collection and accountability. He reiterated that only critical imports, such as road construction supplies, should be exempt from taxes.
