Consumer Unit Trust Society says the recently launched tax online payment system and tax onphone systems by the Zambia Revenue Authority will allow taxpayers to register for taxes and file returns using their mobile phones.

Society Communications Officer Wilanji Simukoko observes that ZRA made tremendous efforts towards efficiency in service delivery through the advancement in technology.

Mr. Simukoko said it is gratifying to note that ZRA has heightened its compliance enforcement activities response as evidenced by the increase in revenue collected from the betting and the gaming industry which has become lucrative.

He further commended the authority for their exceptional performance in the year 2019 which saw them exceeding the targeted revenue collection despite the unfavorable economic environment
“We wish to commend ZRA for their exceptional performance which saw them exceeding the targeted revenue collection. It is worth commending, too, the efforts ZRA has directed towards efficiency in service delivery through the advancement in technology,” Mr. Simukoko said.

Mr. Simukoko however said he hoped to see more of a dependence on direct taxes rather than indirect taxes as indirect taxes tend to be regressive in nature.
“In 2019 ZRA recorded a surplus of K264.8 million in indirect taxes and over the past two years, we have noted that the ZRA has collected more revenue from indirect taxes rather than direct taxes and these tend to have more of a negative impact on the poor,” he said.
ZRA collected K52.9 billion thereby surpassing the targeted K51.8 Billion for the fiscal year January 1st to December 31st 2019.