Taxation in Cameroon: deadline for Individual Income Tax declaration extended to december 9 📅

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The overload of the DGT’s online platform has led the administration to grant an additional deadline for filing the Individual Income Tax (IIT). Taxpayers now have until December 9 to comply, but the website’s repeated outages have drawn criticism.

A moratorium due to digital overload 💻

The Minister of Finance (MINFI) announced an exceptional extension for IIT declarations on December 2, 2024. The reason? An overload of the digital platform caused by a surge in last-minute connections. To address this, the technical capacity of the system has been enhanced, and an alternative tool, Harmony Fiscalis, has been made available to users.

However, many taxpayers express frustration, blaming the authorities for the preventable situation. Pierre Ngono, an entrepreneur, remarked:
« We knew the deadline was approaching. Why didn’t they anticipate this by upgrading the platform earlier? Now they’re pressuring people, yet it’s their fault. They say everyone must file, but what will people even declare without jobs? »

Similarly, Grace Kameni, a teacher, lamented the inconveniences:

« I spent two days trying to log in without success. This is unacceptable! The website either displays errors or doesn’t load at all. Worse, you finish entering your details, and then the site crashes. »

A still-weak implementation ⚖️

The IIT, outlined in the General Tax Code, remains poorly enforced. Initially scheduled for June 30, 2024, the declaration deadline has been postponed multiple times, now to December 9. The previous deadline was set for December 1, a Sunday, which prompted an extension to December 2 and later to December 9. For some citizens, this extension does little to alleviate the frustrations.

« It’s good to grant more time, but what about the long hours wasted trying to access a non-functional site? What about the wasted data and time? » questioned Bernard Etoa, an accountant.

Penalties and benefits for taxpayers 📝

Filing income tax online offers significant benefits:

• Time-Saving: No need for physical visits.
• Simplicity: A guided and user-friendly process.
• Speed and Security: Instant submission and data protection.

However, failure to file comes with harsh penalties:

• Inability to obtain a tax compliance certificate.
• Denial of visas.
• Restrictions on opening bank accounts or accessing essential services like water, electricity, and telecommunications.

Online filing: a step-by-step guide 📲

To simplify the process, the Directorate General of Taxation (DGT) offers an online platform:

1. Access the portal: Visit www.impots.cm.
2. Log in: Enter your NIU and password.
3. Complete the form: Fill in your details directly or use the downloadable Excel template.
4. Submit your data: Review and send.
5. Download your receipts: Keep the acknowledgment and tax notice.

In case of issues, the DGT provides support through:

• Website: www.impots.cm
• Helpdesk: support.harmony2.cm
• Call Center: 8200

Despite these solutions, Cameroonians continue to call for lasting improvements.