ZRA, GIZ collaborate on TaxOnApp

BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes@SunZambianA MOBILE application called TaxOnApp aimed at simplifying tax transactions and compliance by removing intermediaries and expanding the taxpayer reach has been launched by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).The TaxOnApp, developed in collaboration with the Germany Institution, GIZ, allows taxpayers to file in tax returns for income tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), Pay As You Earn, excise duty and withholding tax on rent.ZRA Commissioner General, Kingsley Chanda, said the application was expected to widen taxpayer reach, increase revenue collection, and enhance tax compliance by making payment process more convenient.Mr Chanda explained that taxpayers could perform some customs related requests such as passenger clearance and check for the status of goods they were clearing.He said this during the launch of the application in Lusaka yesterday in speech read on his behalf by ZRA Commissioner-Indirect Taxes, Moses Shuko.“Our resolve an authority through the support of GIZ and the Government of Zambia is that TaxOnApp will expand the tax base by onboarding the informal sector players,” he said.Mr Chanda said the application was developed by the ZRA officers and a Zambian consulting form for some of the customs functions.GIZ Component Coordinator- domestic resource mobilisation good financial governance programme, Johannes Kurt, said the app would have tremendous impact on the ZRA’s plans of expanding the tax base.Mr Kurt said the application would assist taxpayers in accessing specific needs regarding the tax payments.“We are hoping that more and more people will access the applications especially during these challenging times where the entire world is faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the digital access and offering even more e-services is a notable success,” he said.He said customers could now have the option of using their phones to access ZRA services and can reduce personal contacts.Mr Kurt said this supports the national effort to reduce the risk of exposure of its citizens to COVID-19. The Sun