- January 14, 2020
- Posted by: Mildred Chama
- Category: ZRA News
Minister of Finance Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu has implored the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to continue enhancing Taxpayer education as a way to encourage tax compliance in the country.
He added that tax elements should be included in the school curriculum and pledged to work with the Ministry of General Education to ensure this is achieved.
Speaking when he tour the ZRA Head Office- Revenue House in Lusaka today, Dr. Ng’andu congratulated ZRA for collecting beyond the target but more could be collected and added that tax education could improve tax compliance.
“Tax Compliance has always been a challenge and burden of paying taxes rest mostly on the local people. Tax should be one of the elements to be included in the school curriculum, he said.
He further pledged to support the Authority in its quest to collect more revenues.
“ZRA is worth supporting as giving you more money means we will get more revenue. We have given you a target and it is not fair not to provide you financial and human resource support,” the Minister added.
The Minister also is concerned about traders, who insist on cash payments, which he said, should be stopped by installing point of sell terminals immediately.
In addition, the ZRA Commissioner General bemoaned the continued rampant smuggling and the deliberate disregard for tax laws in the country.
He also raised concern about tax incentives that are being given to investors and businesses from various places.
“The incentives Honourable Minister are being offered everywhere including VAT. They are done up hazardly and are affecting revenue collection”, said Mr. Chanda
He also appealed to the Minister to assist the Authority in ensuring all tax regulations are enacted without delay.
ZRA Senior Management Members accompanied the Minister and his entourage on their visit to the various facilities that included the Electronic Fiscal Devices project, the TaxOnline Centre and the East Park Service Centre.