TAX RETURNS, LIQUOR TRADING LICENCES DEADLINES LOOM

MBABANE- The end of March next Wednesday will signal the expiry of the grace period afforded to most businesses.

In January this year, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade had extended the validity of liquor trading licences to March 31, 2021. Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade Principal Secretary Siboniso Nkambule, had made the announcement, saying the decision for the extension was to reduce long queues that could be COVID-19 ‘superspreaders.” He had advised the business community that they should anticipate delays in the processing licence renewals and new applications due to the limited number of officials. The deadline comes at time when liquor traders are breathing a sigh of relief following a ban on alcohol sales for over a month.  Last week the restrictions were relaxed to allow the sale of alcohol between Monday and Thursday from 9am to 5pm. Dumsile Maseko, who is Communications Officer in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, confirmed that the next Wednesday deadline remained unchanged when sought for comment yesterday.

Also with a March 31 deadline is the filing of tax returns by certain taxpayers. The Minister of Finance in March last year had announced measures to be taken following the national emergency declaration. The measures related to filing of annual income tax returns. As a result, filing deadlines of income tax returns was extended by three months before penalties kicked in.
Large and value added tax (VAT)-registered are in the spotlight, as their deadline for filing under the grace period expires on the last day of this month. Non- VAT registered taxpayers and individuals had their deadlines in January and last month, respectively.

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