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Taurai Changwa
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority’s e-services platform is arguably one of the best innovations the revenue collector has ever come up with.
This system, which seemingly creates a seamless interface between the customers and Zimra, essentially allows clients to fill in and submit their tax returns from anywhere in the world.
It gives convenience to clients.
On its website, Zimra states that the “e-services platform seeks to make it convenient, simple, safe and quick for Zimbabwean citizens and businesses to file their tax returns, make online payments and keep track of their tax transactions online and from anywhere in the world,” adding that, “the services portal puts you, the client, in total control of your tax affairs. The system makes meeting your requirements for income tax, value added tax and PAYE simple and effortless.”
In the local context, the niceties of a mission statement often do not correlate with what is offered in reality.
And January was always going to be a trying period for Zimra’s new system.
Formerly, clients would spend hours on end at the Zimra offices in order to get assistance, especially on tax clearance.
For clients who had their returns and payments in order, it was usually a very simple process, but for those that were not submitting payments and returns, it was simply a nightmare.
All this has changed!
Gone are the days when you would go to Zimra requesting for a tax clearance and it will be written on a piece of paper.
It’s now almost impossible to cheat the system if your tax records are not in order.
Undoubtedly, the new technological innovation from Zimra seems to be a very efficient way to end corruption.
In the past, unscrupulous clients would simply get tax clearance certificates through kickbacks.
With the new system, anyone who has a debt has to pay 30 percent in advance before making a payment plan as a precondition to getting a tax clearance certificate.
So, as a result, the system not only reduces corruption but it also improves Zimra’s cash flows as well.
It must, however, be acknowledged that any new system is likely to have a fair share of teething problems.
Not surprisingly, the e-services help desk has been inundated by clients who have several queries about how it is supposed to work.
There are some who are complaining about failed returns and others who are questioning why they are failing to get their certificates whilst they are fully paid up.
For clients who would have complied, this is a thoroughly frustrating experience as they have to endure additional inconveniences in order to have their problems addressed.
It is largely felt that it is in such circumstances that the Authority needs to be considerate enough to issue the tax clearance certificates if their records are up to date.
Being referred from one office to the other is quite cumbersome and equally prejudicial to business.
Continuing with business particularly without a tax clearance certificate is very difficult.
Spending long hours at Zimra is not fun either.
Even though Zimra workers work very hard to try and assist clients, usually the institution is too big for clients to locate the actual office that is supposed to serve them.
This is precisely the reason why the market is pushing Zimra to expeditiously deploy its new system in order to circumvent such challenges.
Obviously, avoiding the interaction between clients and Zimra officers definitely reduces corruption.
Other entities, especially state entities, should follow suit.
Technology can be a big answer to corporate delinquencies, corruption and inefficiency.
The world is changing and the country needs to change with it in some aspects.
Machines have proven to be a flawless enforcer than humans.
The computerisation of the country’s tollgates, which has resulted in an attendant increase in revenue collections, has again shown that efficient technological systems can serve man better.
It is in this vein that current efforts to increase surveillance at Beitbridge Border Post are most welcome.
From an accounting and audit perspective, this just shows you the power of strong internal control systems.
The world is evolving at a very rapid pace and systems have to be continuously evaluated.
Over the years, people have learnt how to cheat manual systems and hence there has been a lot of software to counter such.
The latest feat by Zimra therefore puts it in the rank of one of the best and efficient entities in the country.
An open door policy — similar to the one that exists at the Authority — where an aggrieved party can even approach the Commissioner’s office has also given the institution a human face.
Compared to how they used to operate just three years back, Zimra has indeed made significant progress.
It is quite evident that they are trying to improve their service to clients and also eliminate corruption.
More hard work still needs to be done at our border posts and with the current team, there is no doubt that it is only a matter of time before the loopholes are closed.
It is also now possible to say that in future it will be difficult for companies and individuals to evade tax.
Compliance with the tax authorities is now the only game in town.
Taurai Changwa is an articled accountant with vast experience in tax, accounting, audit and corporate governance. He is MD of SAFIC Consultancy and writes in his personal capacity. Feedback [email protected], Facebook page SAFIC Consultancy, and WhatsApp 0772374784
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