Zimra goes after influencers, tourism players

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has initiated a comprehensive campaign to assess the tax compliance of various tourism stakeholders, including social influencers, as part of efforts to ensure adherence to the country's tax laws.

In a statement released earlier this week, Zimra confirmed that it would be conducting visits to assess compliance with all applicable tax heads across the tourism sector. The blitz targets a wide range of businesses and individuals involved in tourism activities, including accommodation providers, airlines, recreational services, food and beverage outlets, and tourism intermediaries.

The revenue collector's focus includes businesses in the accommodation sector such as hotels, lodges, Airbnbs, motels, camps, houseboats, and guest houses. Airlines, including international, domestic, private, charter flights, and even helicopters, will also be inspected for compliance.

Additionally, Zimra is targeting recreational activities such as game drives, hunting safaris, helicopter flights, cruises, ziplining, bungee jumping, and cultural exchange tours, as well as the food and beverage industry, covering restaurants, bars, nightclubs, catering services, and fast-food outlets.

Tourism intermediaries such as travel agents, tour operators, shuttle services, online travel companies, car hire agencies, and destination management companies will also be scrutinized. The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, which includes event suppliers, international conferences, music festivals, weddings, and sporting events, will also fall under the spotlight.

Zimra is keen on ensuring full compliance with the tax regimes in these sectors and is reminding businesses and individuals that any outstanding returns must be submitted promptly to avoid penalties, interest, and potential prosecution. The authority has urged all taxpayers with overdue returns to submit them through the Tax and Revenue Management System (TaRMS) without further delay.

The revenue body emphasized that taxes should be paid in the appropriate trading currency, warning that late payment or failure to submit returns would result in severe consequences.

"The late submission of returns and failure to pay taxes on time attracts penalties, interest, and prosecution," Zimra stated. "Returns must be completed in full and submitted on time. Payments should be made in the currency of trade."

The blitz will also extend to hospitality suppliers, including those providing linen, guest supplies, wine production, laundry services, and hospitality systems. Even social influencers within the tourism sector will be subject to inspection as part of the crackdown on non-compliance.

With this initiative, Zimra aims to improve tax compliance in the tourism industry and ensure that all players in the sector contribute their fair share towards the country's economic development.