Zimbabwe business leaders warned about tax collectors making life harder for companies across the country. Revenue authorities started using new computer systems that flag businesses for extra checks and investigations. Delta Corporation faced a massive 74.8 million dollar tax bill from these aggressive collection methods. Innscor Africa Limited received demands for over 13 million dollars from currency-related tax problems. The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce said these tactics could scare away honest taxpayers.
Companies complained about getting audited three or four times within just a few months. Christopher Mugaga from the chamber said tax officials need to show more respect for struggling businesses. The new digital platforms, TaRMS and FDMS, create alerts for even small mistakes, like wrong currency codes. Policy expert Simbarashe Mambara explained that automated systems flag companies with complex money flows and foreign exchange exposure.
Tax authority officials defended their audit practices as legally required under various laws. They said businesses must keep proper records and work with revenue collectors when asked. Companies cannot limit the number of audits they face because different issues trigger separate investigations. Mambara suggested that tax officials should adjust their computer systems to reduce unnecessary audits and combine similar checks.
Companies complained about getting audited three or four times within just a few months. Christopher Mugaga from the chamber said tax officials need to show more respect for struggling businesses. The new digital platforms, TaRMS and FDMS, create alerts for even small mistakes, like wrong currency codes. Policy expert Simbarashe Mambara explained that automated systems flag companies with complex money flows and foreign exchange exposure.
Tax authority officials defended their audit practices as legally required under various laws. They said businesses must keep proper records and work with revenue collectors when asked. Companies cannot limit the number of audits they face because different issues trigger separate investigations. Mambara suggested that tax officials should adjust their computer systems to reduce unnecessary audits and combine similar checks.
