Sikhulekelani Moyo [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Harare branch executive committee has engaged the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) over repeated audits of previously concluded tax periods, VAT self-billing and border inefficiencies, as businesses push for reforms to ease compliance costs.
In a post on its X account, ZNCC said the engagement provided a platform for the business community to raise concerns over tax administration, including audit documentation timelines, trusted trader frameworks and the adoption of digital technologies.
The chamber said businesses were concerned about repeated audits, lengthy documentation requests and border delays, which it said affected their competitiveness.
“Business community has complained about audit fatigue, with companies audited multiple times for same period, lengthy documentation requests and delays at borders affecting competitiveness.
During engagement, ZIMRA shared encouraging progress in tax administration, highlighting registration of over 21 350 new taxpayers during second quarter, and urged private sector to fully embrace Tax and Revenue Management System (TaRMS) and other digital compliance platforms,” reads the post.
The discussions also covered VAT self-billing arrangements and measures to improve border efficiency, with businesses seeking more predictable processes and reduced compliance costs.
ZNCC said there was strong appreciation of the need for continued collaboration between the tax authority and the private sector to create a conducive operating environment.
“Based on the discussions, there was a strong appreciation of the importance of continued collaboration between the tax authority and the business community in promoting a conducive operating environment.”
The chamber welcomed the engagement, reaffirming its commitment to representing members’ interests through continued dialogue with key stakeholders.
“ZNCC welcomes the constructive engagement and remains committed to representing the interests of its members through continuous dialogue with key stakeholders, ensuring that business concerns are effectively articulated while contributing to policies and systems that support investment, competitiveness, compliance, and sustainable economic growth,” it said.
The engagement comes as ZIMRA advances digitalisation initiatives aimed at broadening the tax base and improving voluntary compliance, while businesses call for clearer audit timelines, trusted trader frameworks and VAT self-billing arrangements to reduce administrative burdens.
