All taxpayers in receipt of income, other than emoluments from employment or office, are required to make advance payments in the course of the tax year, on account of their estimated tax liability. This estimated liability is referred to as Provisional Tax.

Under the Income Tax Act, all taxpayers whose income is not from employment are required to submit a return of provisional tax. The return should contain:

An estimate (based on information reasonably believed to be true) of the person’s income liable to tax;

A computation of tax based on the rates of tax applicable for the charge year;

A declaration by the taxpayer that it includes a full and reasonable estimate of his income for the charge year.
The deadline for the submission of the provisional tax return is 30th June of the charge year to which the return relates. Penalties are charged for the late submission of the return.
If at anytime during the charge year, the taxpayer discovers that his estimate of provisional income is incorrect because of changed circumstances in the business, he is allowed to submit an amended return.

Where the Zambia Revenue Authority discovers that the taxpayer had under - estimated his income by one third or more, penalties are chargeable.
The provisional tax is due and payable on the following dates:

1st Instalment 30th June
2nd Instalment 30th September
3rd Instalment 30th December
4th Instalment 30th March
However, the payments must be made on or before the following dates:
1st Instalment 14th July
2nd Instalment 14th October
3rd Instalment 14th January
4th Instalment 14th April Penalties and interest are chargeable on late payments.