ZIMRA Lays the Foundations for Tax Compliance – Brick by Brick
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has rolled out a public notice that could have been mistaken for an all-inclusive industry directory. Targeting the construction, iron, and steel sectors, the notice highlights ZIMRA’s upcoming visits to assess tax compliance across these industries. It seems ZIMRA is leaving no stone unturned—or should we say no brick un-taxed?
Yes, even brickmakers have made it onto the list of stakeholders being encouraged to comply. For an industry that has already weathered the storms of high production costs, fluctuating cement prices, and labor shortages, this might feel like just another brick on their backs. But ZIMRA’s message is clear: everyone, from the brickmaker to the civil engineer, has a role to play in building a sustainable Zimbabwe—financially and literally.
To ZIMRA’s credit, their notice is an effort to ensure fairness and transparency, reminding taxpayers that timely returns and payments avoid penalties and litigation. This is sound advice, particularly in a country striving for economic stability. However, some might argue that taxing small-scale players, such as brickmakers and carpenters, requires a thoughtful approach. After all, these entrepreneurs are already laying the groundwork—quite literally—for the nation’s development.
The notice also nods to the convenience of modern tax filing, urging stakeholders to use the TaRMS Self-Service Portal. It’s a commendable step forward, even if the occasional power cuts might make “self-service” feel like a team effort involving a generator and mobile data bundles.
Meanwhile, whispers of new taxes on betting earnings have caught the attention of Zimbabweans. For those dreaming of striking gold with a lucky bet, this could be an unexpected plot twist. Imagine winning big, only to find ZIMRA celebrating your win right alongside you! While taxing betting winnings isn’t unique to Zimbabwe, it raises an important question: how can the tax system balance revenue collection with encouraging economic participation?
Humor aside, ZIMRA’s drive for compliance should ideally come hand in hand with measures that support businesses, especially small and medium enterprises. For industries like construction, where informal operations are common, outreach programs and incentives could encourage voluntary compliance. After all, a collaborative approach might yield more than just revenue—it could build trust.
As ZIMRA embarks on this compliance campaign, taxpayers might grumble, but they also understand the importance of contributing to national development.
