ZRA WANTS TO STRENGTHEN RELATION BUSINESS ENTITIES

THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says strengthening collaboration with stakeholders such as the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM), Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI), Zambia Chamber for Small and Medium Business Associations (ZCSMBA) anchors of hope for success in the 2024.

ZRA acting Commissioner for Business Facilitation Richard Kapata said, strengthening collaboration is important because it will help in maintaining a satisfied and knowledgeable tax payer population which is key to improving voluntary compliance.

Mr Kapata was speaking during a USAID Revenue for Growth Project Tax Awareness and Business Support conference in Kitwe recently.

"Maintaining a satisfied and knowledgeable tax payer population as key to improving voluntary compliance and collecting more revenue. This is why in the new ZRA operating model that we implemented on January 1, 2024 , after being approved by our governing board in November 2023, we have set up a dedicated department for tax payers services and education.

"This department will aim to ensure that we continuously improve our service delivery and regularly engage with our tax payers to bridge the information gap. In supporting business to comply with tax obligations , the ZRA has this year commenced the process to commercialise the training facilities in Lusaka and Copperbelt where it will be offering tax courses to the general public,'' Mr Kapata said.

Mr Kapata has also urged business organisations encountering cash flow challenges to engage tax offices so that it can facilitate for them to enter into the time to pay agreements that will allow them to pay outstanding taxes in Instalments.

Mr Kapata said engagements such as this one serves as a platform for ZRA to obtain feedback on the tax compliance initiatives being implemented, and the feedback is invaluable input in the design of the initiatives.

"We are aware that some of you have tax liabilities and are not able to obtain tax clearance certificates. Let me take this opportunity to appeal to those encountering cash flow challenges to immediately contact its tax offices so that it can facilitate for them to enter into the 'Time to pay Agreements' that will allow them to pay outstanding taxes in Instalments.