Taxpayers need better information - ZRA

Taxpayers need better information - ZRA
By Kabanda Chulu
Tue 26 July 2011, 13:59 CAT

TAXPAYERS need a platform to present challenges facing them in meeting their obligations to government, says Zambia Revenue Authority northern region assistant director Jevson Phiri.

During a stakeholder engagement meeting in Kitwe, Phiri said ZRA had noted the lack of information about new developments taking place in the institution. He said when people have right information, compliance becomes easier resulting in higher tax yields.

“It has come to our attention that customers must be given an opportunity to give credence to what they believe a good service should be, so this forum is meant for exchange of ideas and information with a view to improving our service delivery in order to help people improve voluntary compliance to various tax requirements,” Phiri said.

“This engagement is part of our communication campaign aimed at creating awareness so that stakeholders are aware of what ZRA is doing to make compliance a little easier for them.”

He explained that ZRA had partnered with the Investment Climate Facility to set up a fully fledged call centre system, customer service trading and review of communication strategy.

“Call centre facility is aimed at reducing the need to travel to the ZRA points of presence thus reduce travel expenses for customers because clients will simply have to call 5972 and be given advice and information so desired,” said Phiri.

Officiating at the meeting, Kitwe district commissioner Mc Donald Mtine said advised ZRA management to continue working on innovative solutions aimed at improving service delivery and efficiency in order to maximise revenue collections.