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Loans
By: Mzansi on 25-Jun-10
Medical Credits
By: Quench on 19-Mar-10
Multi Currency is no Currency
By: Amos Kumwenda on 26-Dec-09
Definition of luxury Cars
By: Farai on 24-Nov-09
Upcoming Budget
By: waalad on 19-Nov-09
Import duty on capital equipment and goods
By: Chaksunlimited on 17-Oct-09
Boarder queues vs collection of taxes
By: Rugare on 08-Jun-09
Questions - Answered
Greetings to you, Hon. Minister. I should say I am very impressed by the hard work you are doing in your efforts to turn around the fortunes of this beautiful country. I am also impressed by the fact that you chose to launch and have run, this website. I would like to suggest, though, that this excellent idea runs the risk of losing what it seeks to gain. How? Looking at the photo gallery, for instance, I was somewhat disappointed because there is an ovebearing presence of you, Hon., as the person, rather the leader of a govt arm. There is real danger that a lot of people will see it that way and lose interest in the website. Just recently, there was a lot of barking about the newsletter launched from the PM's office. While I think the talk over the newsletter was misguided and inspired by political spins, I propose that you rectify this attitude in the website, lest the real slant is hijacked by unnecessary smearing.
Asked by Tawanda | 23 June 2009
As you might be aware, the website is still under development and for a start, the developers needed some content with which to test run. However, we do take into consideration your concerns and going forward, the anomalies you have indicated will be rectified.
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Other Questions - Answered
is it moral and legal for Zimra (Gweru) to charge tax on teachers' incentives
12 July 2009
Section 8 of the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06] provides for the taxation of all amounts which constitute gross income as defined. This includes amounts received or accrued in respect of services rendered and amounts equal to the value of an advantage or benefit in respect of employment service. Section 73 of the same Act as read with paragraph 3 of the 13th Schedule compels all employers to withhold employees tax (PAYE) from remuneration. It is, therefore, legal for the teachers’ incentives ...
Does the disabled concession apply to adults only?I have a disabled daughter who need the use of a car every day and I am the primary carer,can I not use the disabled people concession to import a car?
11 July 2009
The current legislation does not carry an age limit. The suspension is however applied on a case by case basis upon approval by the Commissioner General. You are advised to make a written application to the Commissioner General detailing the nature of disability and the type of car you would like to import. There are basic conditions to be fulfilled and these include evidence of disability. This has to be certified by a medical practitioner. For the physically handicapped person who has to d...
I am one of the millions of working in the Diaspora who want to come home, but as it stands there is litterally no program or incentives for this group of peolpe. In essence i would pay a whoping amount of tax import tax & duty on all most raw materails to get my business up and running, there is no tax relief/break or financial assistance program (even donor funded) for new/emerging businesses.Access to working capital is alo very constrained. I think you need to sit down and come up with a workable 'Diaspora Incentive Program' and come up with very attractive taxes & rebates to actively encourage people back & setup business. Its more sustainable and better than asking donors for funds in the long run these companies pay VAt, employ people, increase production & investment in the economy. we cant just walk back into such a harsh economic environment where even the big companies find it hard to survive
09 July 2009
Your concern regarding incentives for investors and returning residents is noted and appreciated. A number of initiatives are underway to create an environment conducive to investment by local, regional and international investors. This includes a review of the customs and tax policies including a review of the rates of duty and tax. Some of these policies will be contained in the Mid-Term Fiscal Review. Rates of duty have already been reviewed downwards. The country has a number of fiscal in...
I have been staying out of Zimbabwe legally for more than 2 years (under study permit) when I went for my post graduate studies. I am planning of coming back for good to Zimbabwe. I want to know, there used to be a law which allowed a person in my category to import one car duty free and household property. Is this still available? How many cars can one import under this privellege? and Since I had left together with my wife, can my wife also be allowed that duty free?
08 July 2009
The legislation that provides for the immigrant’s rebate which covers returning residents is still in place. The duty free concessions are provided for in the Customs Regulations. All household and personal effects including one motor vehicle can be imported duty free on your return provided all set conditions are met. Your spouse is also entitled to the rebate. For further details on this concession you may log onto the ZIMRA website www.zimra.co.zw or refer to Section 105 of the Customs and Ex...
Why is ZIMRA charging 85% import duty for used cars yet we don't manufacture any cars hence no local industry to protect.
30 June 2009
It is mandatory for ZIMRA to charge the rates of duty that are contained in the regulations. These rates were set by policy makers based on the circumstances that were prevailing in the country. However, since we moved to the multiple currencies, a major review was done and the current rates are actually reduced rates. As a country we have our own vehicle assembling industry which needs to be supported and to be protected. Policy decisions will therefore continue to strike a balance between t...
What is the Treasury doing with the Chiadzwa Diamond Fields,in its efforts to capacitate the Zimbabwean economy.
26 June 2009
For detailed information regarding the Government’s position on mining of diamonds in the country especially with regards to those in Chiadzwa, please do not hesitate to contact the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development....
I have realised that we still have a lot of unclreared vehicles at the Beitbridge Border post, likely due to the fact the the duties charged there are huge and individuals are failing to pay lumpsum amounts of duty at go. The issue is people were able to buy those vehicles because they could pay in instalments, but now at our own country people do not have that facility to pay that money in instalments, hence so many vehicles are parked at the borders. The government should thus be lossing out on getting the forex that they are suppossed to be receiving. Is it not possible for the ministry to introduce a facility whereby people can pay in instalments, which i think can also help the government in getting cashinflows
25 June 2009
I agree that the border post had become congested due to the number of un-cleared vehicles held by ZIMRA. Your suggestion regarding allowing importers to pay in instalments will be considered. The decision will need to cater for situations where the importer may still fail to meet the terms relating to the instalments which will impact on the revenue collections. Besides this point, ZIMRA has been conducting a number of rummage sales to dispose of goods including vehicles which were due for sale...
Regarding govt support for grain purchase (which I think is progressive), what mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that the money is not abused, considering the real temptation to divert some of the money since the GMB is currently in the red? Besides protecting the farmers as stated in the release, what other benefits will accrue to govt and the nation through the assistance? Will the GMB be able to settle its historical debts without resorting to the financial assistance being offered?
23 June 2009
My Ministry, working with the Ministry of Agriculture, will monitor the draw down on the resources availed to GMB to ensure that these resources are not abused. In my Ministry I have the Implementation and Control of Expenditure Unit (ICEU), which follows up on resources disbursed by Government to ensure that they are efficiently and effectively utilised....
Hi Mr Minister, what is being done to process trucks with imports from all boarders, a lot of time and money is wasted when trucks are stuck there for weeks. Especially in Beitbridge, with efficient point of entry, Zim would be able to capitilise on this and also safe parking along Beitbridge highway, where drivers can bath, spend their money therefore bringing in more currency and tax that is needed. I still do not believe my eyes that one travels between Beitbridge to Bulawayo without a dicent stop over. Thanks and Regards
22 June 2009
Thank you for your comments. A number of initiatives are under way to improve the process of clearing trucks and these include the upgrading of the infrastructure, the road network and the proposed one stop border post concept where the clearances for the two countries are done at the same time. In addition to the above, commercial goods can be pre-cleared 14 days ahead of their importation into Zimbabwe. This measure, if taken up by importers, transporters and clearing agents, will go a lon...
Since the formation of the inclusive government, the Ministry of Finance has been silent on the issue of higher and tertiary education. All that was mentioned was that the government was going to provide funds to the underprivilleged through the cadetship scheme. However this has not been the case and its very unfortunate that some students have been forced to drop out from college. A cause of concern has been the silence by the Ministry of Finance considering that students are the future of the country. the silence is raising some eyebrows on what is happening. May the Honorable Minister make an announcement on what is happening rather than remaining silent because this is disastrous for the nation.
22 June 2009
Treasury is currently working with the relevant Ministry to determine beneficiaries under the cadetship scheme. Disbursement of resources under this scheme has already started and students will be advised through the relevant Ministry and institution....
Minister are you aware that the biggest problem that yu have is speculation in Zim and if you already know about it what are you doing about it? 2.Minister it seems you are looking for outside aid.Have you also tapped into the sources of revenue at our disposal like vat on clothing sales,fast foods sales,Grocery sales,accomodation sales(hotel and lodges), Domestic shelter that is being charged with commercial rates a room costing 300 rands to 500 rands,and individuals who have turned some domestic properties into commercial properties.To what extend do you know these happenings? 3.Minister what are you doing about the loopholes in the revenue collection system? Is not a ZESA system of approach better or even improve it. 4.Minister are Nigerians,Indians and Chinese paying vat and what system in place that monitors their daily sales and how do they do with their daily cash are not they suppose to bank it,are not they using this cash for speculative activities because like the rest of business collegues who are the cash receivers they get rands and keep them then sale them at a higher rate when generally in Zim the rand/pula 1:1 and these are 1:10 with all other major currencies but some opportunists are fueling speculation by withholding the rand when they get it and making a profit because they are well placed to have excess to it.Is they a law which forces these speculative minded businesspeople to bank daily takings.5. Minister in SA if you are sent money they will give you in rands this is not negotiable,why are we so lenient here in zim at the expense of our citizens who pay for the speculative dirty business.What are doing Minister on this?Minister is it true that 95% of zim wealth and resources are in the hands of only 15-18%.How many zimbabwean citizen holders own block of flats in city centres and if they are few where are rentals going and who are beneficiaries.Minister on revenue collection again is not advisable to introduce bay system at border posts especially Beitbridge like you would have 8 bays the end bays being for heavy vehicles,the next twonew imported vehicles,the next two passengers buses ,the next two private cars and pedestrians and each bay will clear their class of vehicles both immigration and customs. Minister is wise to impound cars of citizens who fail to pay duty at the border.Is it not better that the citizen pays 30% deposit and given 60 days to pay the remainder and failure of whic the state will confiscate it and they will not be auctioned to curb corruption but they will be given to state departments as per their applications as auctioning them gives chance to officers who want to benefit. For today minister l end here.
21 June 2009
Measures are being put in place to safeguard revenue and to avoid any leaks. ZIMRA is in the process of carrying out regular compliance checks on all its clients. These audits ensure that all traders, including those operating on a cash basis, pay taxes to the fiscus. In addition, the Whistleblower’s Initiative under which any person who provides specific information that leads to the recovery of revenue is entitled to 10% of the recovered amount is also effective in bringing to book tax defa...
Has the import duty for heavy industrial machinery been scrapped or reduced in this time of econimic recovery
20 June 2009
Industrial machinery and equipment generally attract an average rate of 5% with quite a number attracting 0%. This is why the review of rates of duty with effect form 17 March 2009 did not include most of the industrial machinery. For further details please refer to Statutory Instrument 26A of 2009....
what is the basis of the consumer price index when there is not enough currency, Isn't this the case of excess supply over demand? Why is the GNU making this a success story when great factors are missing in this equation.
20 June 2009
The consumer price index (CPI) measures the average price of consumer goods and services purchased by households. Following liberalisation and deregulation of the economy, we have witnessed a progressive decline in the CPI since January 2009, as businesses improved supply of goods and services in the economy and realign their prices in line with production costs and regional trends....
Don't you think Income TAX on individuals is just too high? Also the customs duty that are charged on imported goods e.g. Vehicles etc are just too, too high. Animal Farm!!!!!!!!
19 June 2009
Your comments have been noted. The rates of tax and duty will continue to be reviewed in line with the economic environment and the need to promote investment. There will be a need to adopt taxation policies that not only consider revenue collections but that generate sustainable economic growth as well....
What is being done to deal with clean water and power shortages in the country? Shouldn't these two issue be a priority? For how long shall we live with the threat of cholera in Harare?
19 June 2009
Water and sanitation challenges particularly in Harare continue to receive attention from Government. Already, Government has mobilised resources for the rehabilitation of Morton Jaffray water works, rehabilitation of the conveyance system as well as sewer challenges particularly in high density areas. I am confident that with the amount of resources that we have managed to mobilise, the situation should improve drastically within the next few months....
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QUE: is it moral and legal for Zimra (Gweru) to charge tax on teachers' incentives
TENDAI: Section 8 of the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06] provides for the taxati...
QUE: Does the disabled concession apply to adults only?I have a disabled daughter who need the use of a car every day and I am the primary carer,can I not use the disabled people concession to import a car?
TENDAI: The current legislation does not carry an age limit. The suspension is ...
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