Zimra surpasses February revenue target

THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has surpassed its gross revenue target of $322.53 million in February by 5.1 percent to $339.09 million.

In a statement yesterday, Zimra Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Canisio Mudzimu, said gross collections for February grew by 32.11 percent compared to same period last year.

"After deducting refunds amounting to $22.24 million, net collections amounted to $316.84 million. Company tax performed above expectations during the month, with collections of $27.36 million against a target of $12.42 million," said Mr Mudzimu.

"This translates to a positive variance of 120.27 percent. Collections under company tax grew by 18.90 percent when compared to the same period last year where $23.01 million was collected."

He attributed the positive performance to the intensification of risk-based audits and follow up efforts by Zimra.

"The boost also came from special arrangements on instalments under Quarterly Payment Dates for the 2017 fourth quarter, which were paid in February."

Value Added Tax (VAT) on imports contributed $47.13 million to total revenue against a target of $33.70 million, which resulted in a positive variance of 39.85 percent. The revenue head recorded a 53.72 percent growth from the $30.66 million that was collected during the same period last year. Mr Mudzimu said this was due to the strategies implemented by the authority such as risk-based examinations, bonded warehouse inspections, roadblocks, borderline patrols and post clearance audits.

Gross collections under VAT on local sales, on the other hand, amounted to $68.12 million, inclusive of VAT refunds of $22.08 million.

Net collections were $46.04 million against a target of $78.20 million. The huge pay out of refunds affected the performance of the revenue head.

Individual Tax contributed $59.77 million to total revenue against a target of $69.41 million. The revenue head registered a growth of 10.66 percent compared to the same period in 2017 where $54.01 million was collected.

"High debt, salary cuts, retrenchments and irregular salary payments by some companies continue to negatively affect the performance of this revenue head," said Mr Mudzimu.

He hoped the performance of individual tax would improve with prospects of increased investment. Revenue collections under excise duty amounted to $64.96 million during the month against the anticipated $65.66 million.

During the same period last year, $46.37 million was realised and this translates to a revenue growth of 40.07 percent in February 2018. Expectations are that Excise Duty collections will improve when the demand for fuel increases in tandem with economic growth.

Customs Duty collections amounted to $35.74 million against a target of $29.35 million, resulting in a positive variance of 21.78 percent Revenue collections grew by 60.57 percent from the $22.26 million that was collected in February 2017.

The positive performance is partly attributed to restored efficiency of the ASYCUDA system among other strategies.  "The continued use of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System has also assisted in curbing transit fraud and the resultant loss of revenue.

"Improved results are expected as we invest in more seals and cover more risk areas in the transit cargo value chain," said Mr Mudzimu