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Zambia Finance Ministry Cracks Down on Revenue Collection

Zambia Finance Ministry Cracks Down on Revenue Collection

Times of Zambia reported that finance minister Alexander Chikwanda is looking to tighten Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) operations and ensure that revenue collection across the country is uniform and effective.

According to Times of Zambia, the government relies heavily on financial support from Zambian citizens. Therefore, the establishment of ZRA offices in the country is expected to aid in the expansion of financial resources.

“Whenever you hear ofgGovernment programs being articulated, we in government always do so in the firm belief that we will have the resources to deliver. In other words, we have you, ZRA in mind,” Chikwanda said in the report.

“This is why I am personally here to signify that we recognize your role and the effort you make in collecting revenue for the government,” he added, explaining that 63 percent of national budget funds are managed by the revenue authority.

ZRA recently implemented an online tax payment service to serve citizens 24 hour per day.

Although improved revenue collection practices will benefit the national budget and livelihoods of Zambian citizens, corruption related to government finances and tax evasion issues must be dealt with, according to Chikwanda.

Effective revenue collection which truly benefits the government, he suggested, also lies in the hands of honest taxpayers.

Late last year, Zambia Daily Mail reported that tax evasion and avoidance across mining and corporate multinational sectors was worsening.