The government of Burundi has frozen the bank accounts of taxpayers who failed to meet the December 31 deadline for settling their tax obligations. In a statement issued Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Rosine Guilène Gatoni revealed that 30% of the outstanding debts had already been transferred to the State Treasury.
“Non-compliant taxpayers have been given 15 days to report to the Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR) to arrange payment of the remaining 70% of their debt. If no arrangements are made by January 15, 2025, the State will recover the entire debt,” Gatoni said in a statement.
President Évariste Ndayishimiye has also urged citizens to play an active role in combating corruption and protecting national resources. “Any citizen who identifies and reports individuals violating laws safeguarding national wealth—such as unjustified price hikes, corruption, smuggling goods, or hoarding to create artificial shortages—will receive a reward equivalent to one-tenth of the fine imposed on the offender,” according to the statement.
The announcement follows a stern warning from President Ndayishimiye earlier this week during a three-day presidential crusade in Bujumbura. The President vowed to sack and punish corrupt officials and recover stolen public funds with interest.
“Those found guilty of corruption or mismanagement of public resources will be dismissed and will no longer hold government positions,” Ndayishimiye said. He also condemned financial malpractice, including hoarding money and manipulating banking systems to avoid detection by the Central Bank.
“Anyone hiding money at home instead of depositing it in banks, or banks failing to provide accurate reports to the Central Bank, will be treated as enemies of the nation’s development and punished as rebels,” he warned.
Two weeks ago, the President directed the OBR to recover unpaid taxes from delinquent taxpayers before the end of the year, following the discovery of a major financial scandal involving the disappearance of over 110 billion BIF. This scandal had sparked public outrage over perceived government inaction against corruption.
Ndayishimiye emphasized the urgency of addressing resistance to tax compliance, describing it as a “standoff” in a report from the OBR. Severe penalties were promised for those failing to meet the December 31 deadline.
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