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The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority ZIMRA has just launched e-filing services today, the 26th of June 2015. You can file your returns and make tax payments to ZIMRA online. How cool is that? This is a step into creating a virtual tax office in Zimbabwe. As defined by Investopedia, a virtual office is a business location that exists only in cyberspace. A virtual office setup allows business owners and employees to work from any location by using technology such as laptop computers, cell phones and internet access. Read more about virtual offices on Investopedia.
Sure, this must be relieving since you don’t have to make endless trips to ZIMRA to file returns. I have navigated the ZIMRA e-services registration form so as to familiarise myself with it. From my analysis of the online registration form, the platform only allows for a taxpayer to register for and on their own behalf. In brief comparison to the South African Revenue Services (SARS), they have 3 options for registration. You can register as an individual in business or as a tax practitioner submitting returns on behalf of taxpayers or as an organisation, i.e. if you are submitting returns on behalf of a company that you work for. I am keen to know if tax consultants have the option submit returns on behalf of their clients online without necessarily using the client’s online account.
ZIMRA has to be on top of their game and keep the e-filing site up to date. Their calendar needs some serious updating. On another note, I have always discouraged the act of “copy and paste” and this is one of the many reasons why. The just launched ZIMRA e-services website contains the following information, “The tax-free threshold for individual taxpayers has been raised from US$225.00 to US$250.00 with effect from 1st January 2012.” – Adapted from e-filing webpage. I hope they update it soon, we are 3 years from 2012.
For more information about ZIMRA e-filing visit the ZIMRA e-services website
