When Helene Murekatete goes shopping , she asks for an electronic receipt. Her husband does the same when buying fuel, using her phone number so the purchase counts towards her VAT rewards.
The habit has helped her earn enough points to win a Kia Sorento through the Rwanda Revenue Authority’s Tenga Promo.
“I accumulated many points that I used to play and win this car,” Murekatete said when RRA presented the prize. She urged other consumers to join, saying the programme benefits the country as well as participants.
The scheme gives eligible consumers a reward equal to 10 per cent of the VAT shown on qualifying receipts. RRA says it has paid more than Frw 7.6 billion to over 907,000 beneficiaries since the VAT Reward Scheme began in 2024.
By asking for receipts, consumers help ensure sales are recorded and tax is declared.
RRA is also using digital services to make tax obligations easier to track.
Its MyRRA portal brings together services that were previously spread across different systems, allowing taxpayers to check their accounts, outstanding amounts and upcoming declarations.
RRA says that managing multiple applications could make it harder for businesses to keep track of their obligations. So, the platform is a game changer.
Additionally, for taxpayers struggling to clear arrears, RRA has made instalment agreements easier to access. The authority removed the former requirement for a 10 per cent down payment and a guarantee, and allows repayment over 12 months, with possible extensions in cases of financial hardship.
“These changes enable taxpayers to continue their business and pay off their debt in instalments without many prerequisites,” said Jean Paulin Uwitonze, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Taxpayer Services and Communications.
RRA’s customs systems also use risk-based checks to speed clearance for compliant importers while directing inspections towards higher-risk goods.
The Rwanda Electronic Single Window connects agencies involved in trade procedures, while the Blue Channel allows qualifying importers to clear goods without routine physical checks at the border.
Commissioner General Ronald Niwenshuti has said research should help make tax administration more responsive. “Taxpayer services, therefore, must be at the heart of our reforms,” he said, calling for a system that is both effective and customer-friendly.
RRA collected Frw 3,956.4 billion in central-government taxes in 2025/26, exceeding its target. The authority says the result reflected economic growth, higher business turnover and imports, as well as improved administration and compliance.
Its challenge now is to keep making compliance simpler, while ensuring that the burden of raising revenue does not fall unfairly on businesses trying to operate and grow.
