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Bianca Mlilo Business Reporter
THE business community has challenged the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) to improve service efficiency to enhance good relations with taxpayers. Contributing during a joint consultative meeting with the tax authority in Bulawayo last Thursday, businesses made several suggestions on how Zimra could improve its operations.
Bankers accused Zimra of loading banks with the burden of providing the authority with information on truant tax payers. The bankers felt this was unfair on their part. “As banks we don’t want a situation whereby Zimra isn’t taking the responsibility of searching for truant tax payers on its own.
“At the moment, Zimra is asking for such information from banks and we feel that isn’t good,” said a representative from the banking sector. The business community also blasted Zimra for what it called “poor” communication.
They said the tax collector had a habit of garnishing companies without prior consultation or communication to make payment arrangements.
Some complained that Zimra was failing to respond on time after conducting audits for businesses. One of the participants complained that her company books had been submitted to Zimra for auditing more than eight months ago but the authority was yet to return them.
“Our books were submitted for auditing more than eight months ago but Zimra still hasn’t returned them, neither have we received any communication on the audit,” said the participant.
A senior Zimra official who attended the meeting urged businesses to approach their offices on any concerns so that solutions could be found.
The official also reiterated that Zimra was going ahead with the taxation of churches. “If a church engages anyone and pays them, they should ask for a tax clearance . . . where there’s no clearance, I’d advise you to withhold,” said the official.
Last year, Zimra announced that starting January 2016, it would start taxing churches. The meeting was organised by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce.
Online Reporter