Artistes, Event Promoters and all other entertainment players have been called upon to get their tax identification number (TINs) so that they file returns and pay their taxes in time.
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) warned that anyone in the sector who will default will be arrested and imprisoned and ordered to pay fines.
This has come in the name of widening the tax base of the country to cater for emerging priorities of the country.
Ibrahim Bbosa the Assistant Commissioner Public and Corporate Affairs at URA stated that for the entertainment sector; there are many people who have joined the sector and many of these probably may be unaware of the obligation of paying tax on income they generate from the industry.
“Some of these individuals include; artists, performers, authors, producers, promoters, event managers, recreational space owners, bar owners and hotel owners,” he said
Welcoming the initiative, popular events promoter Balam Barugahara called upon his fellow Promoters, Artists and Venue owners to kindly get TIN numbers as directed by URA, “so we May contribute to the Country’s Growth together,”
Barugahara also called upon John Musinguzi the Commissioner General of URA to kindly arrange a stake holders meeting, “so that we May agree on best way to Tax Art industry,”
Popular media mogul and NRM staunch member Captain Cedric Babu Ndilima while agreeing with to Barugahara said that URA should first call in the industry for a stakeholder meeting think it best they dedicate resources in form of a market study to understand how a musician, DJ, Promoter etc earns their income e.g from day an artist produces/buys a beat to the day their song is aired
