Fri, 29 Sep 2017 12:04:29 +0000
By JOSSY CHAIMA
THE ZAMBIA Revenue Authority (ZRA) has called on all tax payers to make use of the e-payment systems when paying for their taxes.
ZRA acting assistant manager Malhon Mphande said taxpayers should embrace technology and use the e-payment system and reduce on the cost of travelling and other inconveniences.
Speaking yesterday at workshop at Moba hotels in Kitwe Mr Mphande said the purpose of the workshop was to educate taxpayers on tax matters and the new systems at ZRA.
Mr Mphande said the system was very safe and banks were on board as well as Airtel money which is convenient for small taxpayers to make their payments.
“The introduction of the new ZRA system has seen an increase in the filling of returns and the just-ended amnesty also contributed because taxpayers had to update their accounts for them to benefit, however the actual payment of taxes has not improved” he said.
Speaking at the same function, ZRA senior treasury officer Musole Katepa said the authority had transformed its operations in response to global digitalisation and would gradually do away with paper payments.
Ms Katepa it was prudent for tax payers to go digital and enjoy the advantages.
Meanwhile Access Bank head of business Alfred Ackson said his bank was training customers on how to make transactions using the new technology.
Mr Ackson said there was needed for sensitisation of taxpayers on the benefit of the e-payment.
He said people used to the old ways of making payments would have to adapt to the new way of making payments.
“It is hard for people to jump on to new trends, they first want to know how it works or if other people have used it before they can adapt to the new ways,” he said.