The Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) administers tax and customs in Lesotho, including income tax, VAT, withholding taxes, and customs duties.
For investors, RSL provides registration and onboarding services (TIN, VAT), manages customs rebates/duty drawback for exporters, and operates compliance and taxpayer education programmes.
Regulatory Framework – Scope and Coverage
RSL’s scope includes:
- Tax registration, filing and payments (corporate income tax, WHT, PAYE, VAT);
- Customs administration for imports/exports;
- Incentive administration (rebates, drawbacks, exemptions where applicable); and
- Compliance, audit and dispute resolution.
Regulatory Map: Who Does What
| Area | Primary Authority / Instrument | What it Means for Investors |
|---|---|---|
| Tax registration | RSL – taxpayer identification number (TIN) and VAT | Company tax number and VAT account to transact. |
| Corporate Income Tax and PAYE | Income Tax Act / RSL practice notes | Computation and remittance of company and payroll taxes. |
| VAT | VAT Act and regulations / RSL guidance | Input credits/refunds; VAT registration thresholds and compliance. |
| Customs | Customs and Excise Act and regulations / RSL | Import/export clearance; rebates and duty drawback for exporters. |
Investor‑Facing Processes
| Process | Steps | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Company tax/VAT onboarding | Incorporation docs → TIN application → VAT registration (if required) | Active tax accounts |
| Customs rebates/drawback | Register exporter account → apply per scheme → periodic claims | Reduced import cost/recouped duties |
| Tax filing and refunds | File returns → audits/verifications → refund or credit | Cash‑flow management and compliance record |