ZIMRA challenges accountants to champion tax compliance
PHILLIMON MHLANGA IN VICTORIA FALLS
Zimbabwe’s tax authority has challenged accountants to become champions of voluntary compliance and take a leading role in guiding businesses through an evolving tax environment.
Speaking at the ongoing Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ) Winter School in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) regional manager for domestic taxes Gamuchirai Makwangudze said accountants were critical partners in improving tax compliance and strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation.
She urged accountants to lead organisations in meeting their tax obligations by ensuring accurate calculations, timely payments, proper record keeping and ethical advisory practices.
“…as the accountants, you really need to lead the organisations in the right way, we need you to be champions of voluntary tax compliance,” Makwangudze said.
She said businesses that embrace compliance avoid unnecessary disputes, penalties, interest charges and objections, while building stronger relationships with the tax authority.
“When you comply, you don’t think about penalties, you don’t think about interest, you don’t think about objections. Everything is pretty good, you don’t have any issues with ZIMRA,” she said.
Makwangudze said accountants had a responsibility to help taxpayers navigate Zimbabwe’s changing tax landscape as ZIMRA expands the use of digital systems to improve administration and revenue collection.
“As a strategic partner, that’s very important. You are there to assist in terms of accurate financial reporting, ethical conduct, proper and correct tax advisory services, supporting compliance and adopting technology,” she said.
She highlighted the role of digital platforms, including the Tax and Revenue Management (TaRM) system and the Electronic Deeds Management System (EDMS), in enhancing transaction visibility, improving VAT compliance, reducing fraud risks and streamlining audits.
Makwangudze also encouraged businesses to make use of voluntary disclosure measures to regularise their tax affairs, saying the authority’s focus was on promoting compliance rather than relying on punitive action.
“We are not talking about penalties. We are advising each other that when we align to the legislative requirements, then we don’t talk about penalties and interest,” she said.
She said future tax reforms would increasingly leverage artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital platforms to strengthen compliance monitoring and support Zimbabwe’s domestic resource mobilisation drive.
