ZRA pursues Lamasat over K14m debt

Fri, 12 May 2017 11:52:00 +0000

By OSCAR MALIPENGA

THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has asked Lamasat International Limited to pay over K14 million in unpaid taxes or have its bank accounts frozen.

Contrary to reports that the authority has written to Finance Bank and Barclays Bank ordering the financial institutions to freeze the accounts of Lamasat International Limited over unpaid taxes amounting to K14 million, sources within the institution said such a decision had not been taken.

“At the moment the issue is that ZRA has given Lamasat International Limited a condition to honour the debt. If Lamasat fails to honour then the statement on freezing their accounts will proceed,” sources disclosed to the Daily Nation yesterday.

Meanwhile, ZRA corporate communications manager Topsy Sikalinda explained that the authority had moved in with warrants of distress and garnishee orders on all business organizations that had not met their tax obligations or had not entered into payment plans with the authority.

“This also includes taxpayers who have abrogated their time to pay agreements,” Mr. Sikalinda said.

He further advised that the amnesty on interests and penalties was still open until July 31.

Mr. Sikalinda said business organizations were therefore encouraged to take advantage of the amnesty and put their tax accounts in order.