Minister prods ZRA board to ensure tax relief implemented

FINANCE Minister, Bwalya Ng’andu, has urged the newly appointed board for the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to ensure that guidelines on tax relief measures announced this month are thoroughly communicated to the public. Dr Ng’andu stressed that the relief measures were meant to assist companies and business during the covid-19 period. The Minister on March 27 2020 and April 20, 2020 announced relief measures such as waiving tax penalties and interest to assist companies and businesses during the Covid-19 period. ZRA has since issued the guidelines on who is eligible to apply for the waiver on tax penalties and interest. “The board needs to strengthen the measures taken by ZRA in domestic resource mobilisation through enhanced usage of electronic platforms and increased compliance surveillance, to curb smuggling and tax related fraud,” Dr Ng’andu said. Former Ambassador to Germany, Bwalya Chiti, has been elected by the newly appointed ZRA Board as its Chairperson. The appointed individuals for the board by Finance Minister include Mr Bwalya Chiti, as Chairperson, Mr Fredson Yamba, Representative of Ministry of Finance, Mr Andrew Nkunika, Representative of Ministry of Justice and Dr Denny Kalyalya, Representative of Bank of Zambia. Others are Ms Getrude Musyanu, representative of Law Association of Zambia, Ms Lydia Sivanda, representative of the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms Grace Bwanali, General Public and Mr James Koni, Representative of Bankers Association of Zambia.