**Kasai: A Moratorium that Awakens Taxpayers’ Tax Awareness**
The announcement by the provincial Minister of Finance of Kasai concerning the postponement of the property tax payment deadline to March 1 is not limited to a simple administrative measure. It constitutes a real call for collective awareness of the importance of tax culture in this province with crucial socio-economic issues.
First of all, it is important to contextualize this decision. Despite the existence of tax legislation in force, the province of Kasai suffers from a strong inertia in the application of tax rules. Evasion behavior or distrust of tax institutions are often at the heart of the discourse of local political and economic actors. The decision to extend the payment deadline by 30 days thus appears less as a relaxation measure and more as a strategy to initiate a dialogue between the taxpayer and the tax administration, by promoting a climate of trust.
### The Urgent Need for Awareness
Minister Bazin Pembe emphasizes the crucial importance of respecting payment procedures, including the formal ban on handling cash directly with agents of the Kasai Revenue Authority (DGRKAS). This measure aims not only to avoid corruption but also to simplify the declaration and payment processes. However, the implementation of such a system requires increased awareness among the population.
Recent statistics reveal that less than 30% of landowners in Kasai comply with their tax obligations. This highlights a considerable challenge for local authorities. In a province where infrastructure and social development are of vital importance, the mobilization of tax resources becomes a strategic issue to generate sustainable progress.
The Minister therefore invites all taxpayers to go to the DGRKAS to prepare their declaration. This gesture, according to him, should be seen as a civic act in the face of a provincial development issue. Indeed, funding for schools, roads and health infrastructure relies primarily on tax collection. Thus, meeting one’s tax obligations is, ultimately, an act whose spin-offs benefit the entire community.
### A Call for Collective Responsibility
The minister’s statement is not just a legal reminder, but rather a broader message about civic responsibility. “Loving your province means paying your taxes,” he argues with conviction. In other words, he seems to sublimate the idea that the development of the province is directly proportional to the commitment of citizens in financing its future.
Here are some valuable comparisons to make. In other regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where similar initiatives have been implemented, tax collection rates of around 50 to 70% have been observed. Such enthusiasm is often the result of various awareness campaigns coupled with a simplification of payment procedures.
### Future Perspectives
The minister’s initiative could also serve as a springboard for the creation of a tax culture in Kasai. By integrating educational components on the issues related to the payment of taxes from the school level, this strategy could help change mentalities in the long term.
It is crucial to imagine a future where the Kasai citizen would feel an actor in his development, aware that his financial participation is essential to chart the path to emergence. In this sense, a comparison can be made with countries that have established return on investment systems for taxpayers, where each cent paid in tax is detailed in participatory budgets. This builds trust and further motivates the population to contribute.
### Conclusion
Ultimately, the moratorium announced by Minister Bazin Pembe is only the beginning of a process that will have to involve all social, economic and political actors in order to create a true tax culture. Through this initiative, Kasai can become a model for citizen mobilization around tax issues, thus making each taxpayer responsible for the development of their province. The challenge is immense, but the benefits of a robust tax system are unmatched for collective progress.
Faustin Nkumbi, Fatshimetrie.org.