Burundi proposes new taxes as revenues fall short

Burundi: Burundi’s cabinet will propose new duties on some alcoholic drinks and other products, an airport departure tax and other measures to make up for a shortfall in forecast revenues for 2014, according to a draft Bill seen on Wednesday.

This year’s budget had predicted revenues of 633 billion Burundi francs ($411.04 million), but the government now expects to fall short by 44 billion francs. Even so, the final figure is likely to exceed 2013 revenues of 559.5 billion francs. This year’s shortfall has been blamed on the move to cut corporate taxes to 30 percent from 35 percent last year. The draft bill, due to be presented to parliament, has drawn an angry response from activists in the impoverished east African nation. One campaigner called for protests, saying the taxes would hurt the poor most.