Tax revenue contributing 68.4% to national Budget- Yamba

Zambia’s tax revenue has over the last 3 years been contributing an average of 68.4% to the national budget.

And Secretary to the treasury Fredson Yamba says in order to increase this contribution, there is need for government to continue supporting progressive ideas that enhance efficiency and productivity in revenue collection.

Speaking at the permanent secretaries’ tax education workshop organized by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) in Lusaka today, Mr. Yamba notes that the role of ZRA in optimizing tax revenue collection on behalf of the government cannot be over emphasized in as far as development is concerned.

He has urged permanent secretaries to familiarize themselves with the operations of ZRA so that they can act as change agents for the many reforms that ZRA is undertaking to enhance its operational efficiency.

Mr. Yamba explains that the two new ZRA ICT business systems called Taxoline and Asycuda world which provide for a self service platform for the tax payers if utilized fully will improve service delivery, reduce cost of compliance for the authority and provide access to a 24 hour self service e platform to tax payers.

He adds that it is his hope that the sensitization of the general public by the ZRA will achieve its objective of increasing the uptake of the new electronic systems.

Mr. Yamba has further urged the permanent secretaries to support the overall reform program of government which is aimed at achieving efficiency of the public service so as to promote sustainable growth of the economy.