Zimra registers 100,000 new taxpayers

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has registered about 100 000 new taxpayers this year as part of an ongoing national drive to broaden the tax base and integrate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into the formal economy.

The progress was announced by ZIMRA Commissioner General Regina Chinamasa in a speech read on her behalf by Head of Compliance and Automation Adrian Swarres during a public lecture at the Zimbabwe National Defence University in Harare yesterday.

Delivering the lecture titled "Systems, Processes and Challenges of Public Revenue Collection in Zimbabwe", Ms Chinamasa said the registration surge followed targeted outreach programmes aimed at informal traders and SMEs, introducing simplified tax regimes to make compliance easier and more accessible.

"Throughout the year, we have had an outreach programme targeting small to medium enterprises. We are looking at the informal sector by providing simplified tax regimes to bring them on board, to make it easier for them to comply," said Mr Swarres, speaking after the lecture.

He said the move was part of ZIMRA's broader strategy to strengthen revenue mobilisation while fostering business growth through an inclusive and user-friendly taxation framework.

"So far, we have 100 000 who have been brought on board. Now what is required is to nurture them and ensure that they grow so that they continue to contribute to the needs of the country," he added.

The initiative complements Government's ease of doing business reforms, which include the reduction of certain fees and taxes to encourage voluntary compliance and stimulate business expansion.

ZIMRA noted that most smaller businesses lack the structured record-keeping systems used by large corporations. To address this, the authority is promoting presumptive taxes, which assume a standard tax liability but allow taxpayers to pay less if they maintain proper financial records.

The simplified tax framework for micro, small, and medium enterprises is designed to encourage formalisation, remove compliance barriers, and promote voluntary tax participation.

According to official data, small businesses contribute about 60 percent of Zimbabwe's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making their inclusion in the tax system crucial for sustainable national development.

Meanwhile, ZIMRA has also recorded significant growth across several tax heads over the past five years. Corporate income tax rose by 85,29 percent, driven by automation and improved compliance, while the intermediated money transfer tax (IMTT) increased by 83,37 percent. Mining royalties grew by 62,89 percent, reflecting a buoyant mining sector.

However, customs duty recorded the lowest growth at 6,83 percent, largely due to trade policy adjustments and global supply chain disruptions.

The authority's ongoing reforms are guided by its 2021–2025 Strategic Plan, which focuses on tax digitalisation, customs automation, compliance enhancement, and ISO certification, aimed at boosting governance, transparency, and operational efficiency.

ZIMRA says these initiatives are essential to building a sustainable tax system that supports both economic growth and inclusive development.