ZRA TO HIRE TAX AGENTS FOR INFORMAL SECTOR
Tue, 29 Aug 2017 13:05:50 +0000
By Mailesi Banda
THE Zambia Revenue Authority will partner with the private sector and appoint tax agents to collect four different tax types from the informal sector, corporate communications manager, Topsy Sikalinda has said.
Mr. Sikalinda said this strategy was aimed at broadening the tax base especially for the informal sector by improving the tax collection systems for various tax types.
He explained that the agents, who would mainly be from the private sector, would be key in collecting taxes from all taxpayers in the informal sector through smart partnerships.
He said the intended appointment was in line with the provisions of the Income Tax Act, Chapter 323 of the Laws of Zambia.
“In order to be considered for selection, the ZRA has clear criteria that bidders will be subjected to, the bidders must demonstrate adequate financial and nonfinancial resources, evidence of effective and working collaboration or relationships with key stakeholders and a well-organised record keeping system,” Mr. Sikalinda said.
He also said the bidders should have good systems of recording and handling cash transaction, including reconciling cash receipts with bank deposits in order to ensure that the money collected was safe.
Mr. Sikalinda explained that the successful agents would be required to propose and implement best revenue collection modalities or mechanisms that would guarantee security of Government revenues, efficiency and timeliness of collection.
He said ZRA would implement sensitisation strategies for effective communication of the projects aimed at engaging local firms and other stakeholders on the value of paying tax and developing and maintaining a credible and secure database of taxpayers in the prescribed format.
“With the local empowerment policy of the government, ZRA will give priority to Zambian influenced entities. Further, the bidders are required to submit company registration and valid Tax Clearance certificate to be eligible for consideration,” Mr. Sikalinda said.