News / National
Zimra calls on public to report officers who demand bribes
25 Apr 2013 at 10:00hrs | Views
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has called on members of the public to report officers who demand bribes while on duty.
Zimra head compliance and risk in the customs and excise division Ms Regina Chinamasa yesterday said the revenue authority would not hesitate to deal with the "culprits" who had a tendency of soliciting for bribes.
She however warned members of the public against offering bribes to cover for their own offences saying they too would be made to account.
"As Zimra, we remain fully committed to integrity, transparency and fairness. This means that we do not support any form of corruption between our clients and our officers especially at border posts.
"One must report to our regional offices or Head Office once they are told to pay a bribe by our officers. Once a member of the public is asked to pay additional or unexplained money, they should take the name of the officer and make a report. Then we deal with the culprit," said Ms Chinamasa.
She said there was no need for the revenue authority workers to demand bribes as they were adequately remunerated.
Meanwhile, Ms Chinamasa said farming inputs now benefit from tax breaks.
"Farmers allowable special deductions pertain to expenditure incurred on land preparation, fencing, sinking of boreholes and wells among other things. Input tax fee claimable on zero rated farming inputs.
"Value Added Tax (VAT) can be deferred for a period not exceeding 90 days (S12A VAT Act) upon application to the Commissioner-General on capital goods such as plant or machinery for mining purposes, plant equipment or machinery for agricultural purposes and plant equipment or machinery for manufacturing or industrial purposes. VAT registered operators can claim full input tax on purchases used to make goods that are subsequently exported," said Ms Chinamasa.
She said income tax rate for manufacturing companies had been reduced.
"Manufacturing or processing companies enjoy a special income tax rate of 20 percent (down from 25 percent if they export 50 percent or more of their out¬put which is production.
"The informal sectors are entitled to 50 percent Special Initial Allowance (SIA) on buildings, farm improvements and equipment including additions and alterations to existing items," she said.
Zimra head compliance and risk in the customs and excise division Ms Regina Chinamasa yesterday said the revenue authority would not hesitate to deal with the "culprits" who had a tendency of soliciting for bribes.
She however warned members of the public against offering bribes to cover for their own offences saying they too would be made to account.
"As Zimra, we remain fully committed to integrity, transparency and fairness. This means that we do not support any form of corruption between our clients and our officers especially at border posts.
"One must report to our regional offices or Head Office once they are told to pay a bribe by our officers. Once a member of the public is asked to pay additional or unexplained money, they should take the name of the officer and make a report. Then we deal with the culprit," said Ms Chinamasa.
She said there was no need for the revenue authority workers to demand bribes as they were adequately remunerated.
Meanwhile, Ms Chinamasa said farming inputs now benefit from tax breaks.
"Farmers allowable special deductions pertain to expenditure incurred on land preparation, fencing, sinking of boreholes and wells among other things. Input tax fee claimable on zero rated farming inputs.
"Value Added Tax (VAT) can be deferred for a period not exceeding 90 days (S12A VAT Act) upon application to the Commissioner-General on capital goods such as plant or machinery for mining purposes, plant equipment or machinery for agricultural purposes and plant equipment or machinery for manufacturing or industrial purposes. VAT registered operators can claim full input tax on purchases used to make goods that are subsequently exported," said Ms Chinamasa.
She said income tax rate for manufacturing companies had been reduced.
"Manufacturing or processing companies enjoy a special income tax rate of 20 percent (down from 25 percent if they export 50 percent or more of their out¬put which is production.
"The informal sectors are entitled to 50 percent Special Initial Allowance (SIA) on buildings, farm improvements and equipment including additions and alterations to existing items," she said.
Source - TC
