Businesses in Tongatapu and Vava'u can now pay their PAYE tax and Consumption Tax online, thanks to a new revenue management system known as "RMS7", that was launched by the Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Sophie Temby this morning, 30 October at Tonga's Ministry of Revenue and Customs office, Hala Lelue, Nuku’alofa.

Acting CEO for the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Mrs Magdalena Fifita said that the Ministry had been using RMS software since 2005. Then Phase 1A of the RMS7 was implemented in July 2013 followed by Phase 1B  in July this year. Today's launching of RMS7 was the completion of Phase 2.

Hon. Tevita Lavemaau, who became Minister of Revenue and Customs in January this year, said that efforts had been made to upgrade the operation of the ministry during the past 10 years and the completion of  RMS7 Phase 2 would speed up revenue collection. “As from today, tax payers can settle their PAYE and CT online, they don’t have to spend time queing.”

The RMS7 can be used by taxpayers in Tongatapu and Vava’u.

A revenue collection officer from Vava’u said that the new system will be welcomed by small business owners in the outlying islands of Vava’u, who have been having problems paying their taxes on time. “Now they don’t have to travel to Neiafu, they can do it online, though at this stage only the PAYE and CT.”

The project was funded by the Australian Government and the Asian Development Bank with $1.5m Australian dollars. The implementation of the software program was carried out by Data Torque of New Zealand.