• The budget should have some incentives in form of tax relief for the artists.
• Arts Industry has made submission for the 2022 National Budget.
• It is only after the presentation of the budget that artists can know if they have been added in the budget.

National Arts Council (NAC) says it expects the 2022 National Budget to have some incentives in form of tax relief for Artists.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Council Director Maanka Chipindi says recently, Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the Arts industry had a meeting where submissions from the Artists were made for the 2022 national budget.
“Art industry has the potential to grow once proper incentives are put into place for the industry and some of the Artists who are taxed withholding taxes earn way below the monthly minimum wage,” Mr. Chipindi said.
Mr. Chipindi stated that it is only after the budget has been presented to parliament that Artists will know whether they have been considered or not.
He added that the artists are expectant to have a piece in the national budget as they have equally been affected by Covid-19 pandemic.
“The current tax system has disadvantaged Artists in Zambia, hence the tax relief for the artists will greatly benefit our artists,” he added.
Recently, Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) said it was in the process of engaging the Ministry of Finance to consider tax relief for the Arts industry in the 2022 national budget which is undergoing formulation.