ZIMRA hosts media workshop

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority hosted a media workshop on 1 March 2017 which was attended by about 50 media practitioners from both private and public media.

The workshop, which was held under the theme, "Taking Taxation to the People", sought to enhance the media's appreciation of tax and customs duty matters and to explore areas of partnership between the Revenue Authority and the media.

Speaking during the workshop, the ZIMRA Acting Commissioner General, Mr Happias Kuzvinzwa, acknowledged the quintessential role played by the media in informing the public about tax and customs issues and helping the Authority to announce its achievements, challenges, as well as helping in finding solutions.

"The positive stories, we appreciate, constructive criticism ones we have embraced and the negative ones we have taken note, our attitude towards your stories is a balanced one. For all these we thank you," he said.

"As the voice of the voiceless, you bring to the attention of policy makers issues affecting the Nation and contribute in the formulation of solutions - all for the betterment of our beloved country, Zimbabwe", added Mr Kuzvinzwa.

The Acting CG also highlighted the importance of paying taxes and duties in nation building, and implored journalists to encourage people to meet their fiscal obligations.

"Paying taxes is an investment for living in a civilised society with social services adequately funded. Key social services funded by tax are health, education and peace and security. Paying taxes is also a measure of the level of patriotism for a tax paying person has to his own country," said Acting Commissioner General Kuzvinzwa.

He further added that voluntary tax compliance reduces unnecessary business costs, which come in the form of penalties and interest that are levied for late payments or late submission of returns, or failure to submit returns or remit payment.

The workshop included presentations from ZIMRA's Domestic Taxes and Customs and Excise Divisions, and a question and answer session.

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists Secretary General, Mr Foster Dongozi, gave the vote of thanks and described the workshop as an eye opener in building a common understanding between the media and ZIMRA, setting a foundation for future cooperation in the reporting of issues which are of interest to the media, and building of rapport between media practitioners and the Revenue Authority.