Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority delivered a strong first half of 2026, collecting US$4,71 billion, 16,14 percent above target and 46,73 percent higher than the same period last year.
In Zimbabwe Gold terms, net revenue was ZWG125,06 billion against a target of ZWG104,99 billion, representing a 19,12 percent positive variance.
Zimra board chairman Mr Anthony Mandiwanza said the authority registered 37 783 new taxpayers during the period, driven by digitalisation, improved trade facilitation and strengthened border controls.
“Zimra delivered strong H1 2026 performance, collecting US$4,71 billion, 16,14 percent above target and 46,73 percent higher than H1 2025, while registering 37 783 new taxpayers.
“Progress in digitalisation, trade facilitation and border controls strengthened service delivery and compliance,” he said.
Key performance highlights for the half year ended June 30 show that Pay As You Earn (PAYE) was the top revenue contributor at 18 percent, followed by Corporate Income Tax at 15 percent, Value Added Tax on local sales at 14 percent and VAT on imports at 13 percent.
The top four revenue heads contributed 60 percent of total revenue, with other revenue heads accounting for 40 percent.
In terms of standout performers against target, Corporate Income Tax exceeded target by 47,77 percent, VAT on Imports by 41,20 percent, Mining Royalties by 30,25 percent, Net Customs Duty by 26,93 percent and Net VAT on Local Sales by 22,03 percent.
On tax base expansion, of the 37,783 new taxpayers, 2,056 were PAYE and 955 VAT taxpayers. Zimra attributed the growth to digital platforms.
“Trade facilitation and border management also improved. Zimra processed 258 631 Bills of Entry and registered 261 435, achieving a 98,93 percent assessment rate and an average clearance time of two hours 11 minutes 30 seconds for local Bills of Entry,” said Zimra in its latest report.
The authority said it scanned 73 085 high-risk cargo, seized 14 881 high-risk transit trucks, issued 1 480 Notices of Seizure and recorded a 23,92 percent sealing rate.
On external trade, imports stood at ZWG253,81 billion while exports were ZWG190,22 billion.
Digital transformation remained a key driver. The authority reported that the Tax and Revenue Management System (TaRMS) project is 98 percent complete, Fiscalisation Data Management System (FDMS) completion is at 99 percent, and FDMS-TaRMS integration is at 100 percent.
“A total of 22 679 taxpayers were onboarded with a 92 percent national onboarding rate, while 20,4 million fiscal invoices were processed, virtual fiscalisation stands at 20 percent in Q1-Q2, and all 16 banks have been integrated for payments,” said Zimra.
On refunds, Zimra paid ZWG7,48 billion, representing 5,64 percent of gross collections of ZWG132,53 billion.
Cumulative debt as at June 30 stood at ZWG9,47 billion and US$1,26 billion.
Filing compliance remained high, with Large Client Office (LCO) at 98,1 percent and Medium Client Office (MCO) at 92 percent.
Simplified revenue and monthly PAYE + VAT filings were at 98,1 percent PAYE and 97,4 percent VAT for Large Client Office (LCO), and 92,7 percent PAYE and 91,3 percent VAT for Medium Client Office (MCO).
Zimra said 78,2 percent of the excess revenue was driven by compliance enforcement, with other drivers being visibility through TaRMS + FDMS, execution anchored on 2026 momentum and staff focus, and debt control.
