LANDLORDS in Choma have threatened to increase rentals to comply with the 10 percent withholding tax which they need to pay to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
Speaking in separate interviews yesterday, landlords expressed mixed feelings on the decision by ZRA to enforce the payment of withholding tax on rental income.
The ZRA has embarked on compliance visits to enforce the 10 percent withholding tax on rental income in accordance with the law.
Some landlords that were spoken to say the decision by ZRA to compel them to pay tax will leave them with no choice but to increase rentals.
Alfred Shawa, a landlord, who owns a house in Maamba, said he would consider hiking rentals after assessing the economic status of his tenant.
“For me to pay 10 percent from my rental income, I will definitely consider hiking the price of rentals. But I wouldn’t want to burden my tenants, so, I will first consider how consistent they have been in paying the rentals,” he said.
Mr Shawa said he is willing to pay the tax, but stressed that his tenants will have to help in meeting the cost.
But Chikatu Chiputa, another landlord said implementation of the tax law was long overdue, although it will result into increased rentals.
“It’s a good way of broadening the tax base for the Government,” Mr Chiputa said.
A landlord of Riverside township, who opted to be anonymous, said the remitting of withholding tax on rentals will compel him to hike rentals so that he could recover the 10 percent.
“As a landlord, I have a budget, and if I have to remit 10 percent from my rental income, then it is only fair for me to increase rentals so that I can recover my money,” he said Martin Biemba, a Choma resident who owns a house in Livingstone, said he is willing to pay the tax in line with the law.
Mr Biemba, however, urged ZRA to sensitise the public on the tax law on rental income which was enacted during the MMD regime between 1992 and 1994.
Even banks here pass on the interest increase to customers. The PF airport cabinet never thought that landlords will pass on the tax to tenants. rental prices is already high in Zambia & it will now be worse. Hope the opposition will take on this tax during the 2016 election campaign as a big issue.
The trend of primitive Zambian men stripping women naked in public is not right and it should be stopped!!
Mobs of classless stinking men surround a beautiful woman and rip away her clothes until she is naked.
Primitive Zambian man be civilized its none of their business what someone is wearing.
Shame on these lowlifes, when did anyone’s dressing became another person’s business?
These savages are potential rapists who should rot in jail
The last time i checked “God created us naked” and in African culture women wore bark-skin “G-String”IMIBINDE and nothing on top… Chitenge’S AND SALAULA WERE BROUGHT BY MUZUNGU’S
Shame on you Zambian ID!OTS
What happened to Sata’s more money in our pockets? I Can’t wait for 2016 polls.
People in Zambia are just used to living in poverty. It is the same tenants who brought back PF governmment into power because they are in the majority. The best we can do as Landlords is to hike rentals, Period. Let PF as a government build more houses for its people. PF has just failed the very poor people it is saying it is saving. For me SATA was a better person, for he knew what he was doing, but the current gentleman, it is all kangaroo Government of trial and error. IFINTU NI LUNGU we say, but IFINTU has gone Wrong.
Give a fool enough rope and what happens? Ba Kambwili why, why, why did you have to start mentioning this withholding tax business now these useless UPND satanists want to cause chaos by inciting a national rise in rentals..
Yaba..buti
Still more ni El2016
Ba PF just know 2016 is coming. Enforce this law and you will see what will happen. Everyone is either a landlord or tenant it will affect everyone.
Another gift from the PF government, like they promised lower taxes and more money in your pockets. PF cadres no comment? Oh sorry the majority are kaponyas with no houses so they are not affected. Problem is the landlords will pass the ten percent to the client that’s how business works.
Am compelled to comment on this subject because my part PF has lost it.firstly, it was the fuel increase, which definitely will trigger an increase in most of the commodities. people will have to spend more.now the government reaffirms the issue of paying withholding tax. definitely landlords like myself will have to increase the rentles so that i can comply to that law. MMD government knew why they did not effect this law because the cost of living in zambia is too high. the majority citizens will suffer because there will be no money in peoples pockets. As i a m posting this comment, salaries for civil servants have been delayed and the ministry of finance is quiet without getting back to its people to update them on what has led to the delay. this kolopa.com will cost us the 2016 elec
am UPND the law is fair and justified. go go.