Govt extends deadline for land tax

GOVERNMENT has warned landowners that they will not be able to sell their land without a tax clearance certificate.

Over 500 land owners still need to provide their details to Government or face a N$20 000 fine or five years in jail, or both. The Ministry of Lands said it was a requirement of the law to obtain a land-tax clearance certificate before property can be transferred.”The certificate can only be issued upon payment of land tax,” the Ministry said in a statement.The Government has extended the due date for the payment of land tax from the end of July to August 31 after several landowners requested an extension.All landowners who fail to pay by the end of this month will have to pay interest on the overdue amount.”Further, monies owed shall be recovered by the due process of the law as the case may be for any other debt,” the Ministry said.Government plans to use the tax to fund the land-reform programme.There were around 12 700 farms on the valuation roll.The land tax was first announced in April 2003 but was not implemented immediately.The move is aimed at compelling farmers to sell excess land to Government for the resettlement of landless black Namibians.Through the proposed tax, Government should be able to raise around N$20 million a year in revenue.The Ministry of Lands said it was a requirement of the law to obtain a land-tax clearance certificate before property can be transferred.”The certificate can only be issued upon payment of land tax,” the Ministry said in a statement.The Government has extended the due date for the payment of land tax from the end of July to August 31 after several landowners requested an extension.All landowners who fail to pay by the end of this month will have to pay interest on the overdue amount.”Further, monies owed shall be recovered by the due process of the law as the case may be for any other debt,” the Ministry said.Government plans to use the tax to fund the land-reform programme.There were around 12 700 farms on the valuation roll.The land tax was first announced in April 2003 but was not implemented immediately.The move is aimed at compelling farmers to sell excess land to Government for the resettlement of landless black Namibians.Through the proposed tax, Government should be able to raise around N$20 million a year in revenue.