MBABANE:Ntobeko Dlamini, the Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS) Director-Makerting and Communications says, as a revenue institution, they will wait for guidance or directive from Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg on the proposed new Value Added Tax(VAT) increase.
This comes after the South African Government announced a 0.5% increase for the 2025/26 financial year and another 0.5% for the 2026/27 financial year.
Responding to this Swaziland News on Wednesday afternoon when asked if ERS will consider increasing VAT as well, the Communications Director said, powers to facilitate same were vested on the Finance Minister.
“The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) does not determine tax rates,it is the domain of the Ministry of Finance through Parliament”, she said.
On another note, Finance Minister Neal Rijikernberg is highly expected to prepare an urgent VAT Amendment Bill to be debated by Parliament before the approval of the increase.
South Africa is eSwatini’s largest trading partner and the tiny Kingdom is expected to increase the VAT as well for the smooth collection of taxes within the border gates.
Both countries are members of the South African Customs Union(SACU), the organization was established in 1910 and also comprises Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia, SACU facilitates free trade and a common external tariff among member States.
ERS Director-Marketing and Communications Ntobeko Dlamini.