Malawi: MRA's Msonkho Online and the Electronic Invoicing System
- Revenue body
- Malawi Revenue Authority, website www.mra.mw 5
- Tax system
- Msonkho Online, web-based integrated tax administration 1
- Taxes covered
- Income tax, VAT, withholding tax, fringe benefits tax, provisional tax, turnover tax, PAYE 1
- Agents module
- Added to Msonkho Online by September 2023 2
- E-invoicing
- EIS pilot from 1 February 2026, EFDs discontinued after 30 April 2026 3
- EIS uptake
- Over 7,500 of 9,000 VAT-registered operators, May 2026 4
Msonkho Online
The MRA describes Msonkho Online as a "web-based integrated tax administration system", as reported by Charles Pensulo of ITWeb Africa on 14 August 2025 1. It manages domestic and international trade taxes, including income tax, value added tax, withholding tax, fringe benefits tax, provisional tax, turnover tax and pay-as-you-earn 1. MRA project communications manager Henry Mchazime said "taxpayers are able to monitor and follow their tax transactions through their MRA account on Msonkho Online" 1. ITWeb Africa did not name the vendor, the funder, the cost or the payment channels 1.
In September 2023 the MRA briefed the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi on a new Agents Management Module in Msonkho Online, according to the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) 2. MRA marketing communications manager Wilma Chalulu said it lets representatives, tax consultants and accountants "do tax transactions on behalf of one or more taxpayers" 2. She said TEVET Levy payments would be made electronically from 1 October 2023 2.
Electronic Invoicing System
The EIS pilot began on 1 February 2026 and was extended to 30 April 2026, running alongside existing EFDs, as reported by Benson Kunchezera of ITWeb Africa on 2 February 2026 3. The MRA extended the transition after taxpayers said they needed more time to learn the system 3. The MRA said "the use of EFDs will be discontinued after 30 April 2026" 3. It describes the EIS as software-based and cost-effective 3. Business operators in Limbe petitioned the MRA, saying the EIS infringes on privacy by requiring more detailed business information 3.
MRA Commissioner General Felix Tambulasi announced the full rollout, as reported by McDonald Chiwayula of MBC on 6 May 2026 4. He said the EIS replaces EFDs, which he described as costly and inefficient for businesses 4. He said over 7,500 of the 9,000 VAT-registered operators were using the platform 4. He called shop closures linked to resistance from some traders counterproductive and said "The Electronic Invoicing System is not a new tax" 4.
Where to file and pay
The MRA's official website is www.mra.mw 5. Taxpayers use their MRA account on Msonkho Online to follow their tax transactions 1. The sources reviewed for this page do not list current bank or mobile money channels for MRA payments, so they are not covered here 1,5.
Common questions
What is Msonkho Online?
The MRA's web-based integrated tax administration system for registering, filing and paying domestic taxes 1.
When did Malawi stop using EFDs?
The MRA said EFDs would be discontinued after 30 April 2026, leaving only the EIS 3.
Is the EIS a new tax in Malawi?
No. Commissioner General Felix Tambulasi said "The Electronic Invoicing System is not a new tax" 4.
Can a tax agent file for clients on Msonkho Online?
Yes. The Agents Management Module lets representatives do tax transactions for one or more taxpayers 2.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- ITWeb Africa, Charles Pensulo: Malawi launches online tax portal (14 August 2025)
- Malawi Broadcasting Corporation: MRA drills ICAM members on new Msonkho Online module (16 September 2023)
- ITWeb Africa, Benson Kunchezera: Malawi prolongs pilot phase of e-invoicing system (2 February 2026)
- Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, McDonald Chiwayula: MRA rolls out Electronic Invoicing System nationwide (6 May 2026)
- Malawi Revenue Authority: official website
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