The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says it is illegal for any company in Zambia to operate without tax registration.
ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Oliver Nzala said this comes after a search on the ZRA TaxOnline system revealed that the newly launched newspaper called The Mast is not registered for taxes.
“Without registration for taxes, The Mast Newspaper is an illegal publication,” Mr Nzala said.
He said ZRA will not allow individuals and business to evade tax at liberty because such acts defraud the national treasury.
He said ZRA is strongly warning all business entities that are not registered for tax to do so in order to be on the safe side with the laws of the land that relate to tax.
“Businesses operating without tax registration are encouraged to visit any ZRA office across the country and get guidance on how to get registered. The Income Tax Act Cap 323 of the Laws of Zambia requires anyone in receipt of an income to register with the Zambia Revenue Authority,” Mr Nzala said.
kikiki remember that the mast is not the post. You cannot stop freedom of expression and information bane. This is not zimbabwe or uganda. We are personally as citizens going to fund the mast. I will myself pay for its taxes so long as it is a fair paper and tells the truth. Stay strong.
Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government.
You sdojt register for tax until you profits recach a certain threshold.
Didn’t think a company registers for tax until they make enough preform to be needing to pay pax.
I don’t understand where this man is coming from.
Thanks
BB2014
So they want to operate an illegal business when when visited by the law, claim they are being victimization.
It is like a very dark skinned thief who steals from people and when caught says I am being victimized because people don’t like me because I am dark skinned.
Mast, whatever you have decided to call yourself, please do the right thing rather than misbehave and then claim people don’t like you.
Any illegality will not be allowed.
@Mushota and you claim you have an MBA…. but:
1. You have multiple spelling errors
2. Grammatical fimo fimo
3. BB2014 still relishing the days eh…..
4. Is that what your physics books told you- you only register for tax when you start to make profits? Or did you learn that in biology?
5. Tax you either love it or hate it! You cant avoid it but you can reduce it!
At law there is Piercing the Corporate veil or Unveiling the Corporate veil. In other words the business is striped of it unlimited liability status and corporate status to reveal the members or Directors. Therefore if the members of the Mast are the same as those for the Post. Then they are treated as one and the same. This principle was formulated to protect the public from members hiding under the veil of incorporation and perpetuating similar schemes in order to run away from liabilities etc.
This is therefore not a new trick. Corporations and Corporate law has been in existence since the 1400s ( since the days of the Dutch East India Company) so for some 600 plus years. Nothing new under the sun.
@zambia for peace, how many of those boys women and men sitting on the streets of Lusaka are registered for tax? The Mast is at vendor level. Time will come for tax registration. If I publish wedding cards and distribute to people is that illegal?
@ 1.2 Mushota you seem to be confusing corporation tax and VAT. You register for corporation tax but only pay it if you make a profit whereas you register for VAT only when you reach the threshold. And you claim to be ACCA, CIMA, MBA etc!
you are a fool NEZ…machende yako
ZRA has become PF propaganda. very stupid and disappointing to see how such institutes can be compromised. Its now the engine to fight anyone who condemns Lungu?? Go on continue closing companies? you have no one to collect your revenue from?? Instead of encouraging new companies, they are in Dununa Reverse closing them.
I supported the POST and I support the MAST. But I urge them to follow the law like everyone else. They’re setting a bad example to other people, including their supporters. Everyone knows the standard procedure is you register first with the Tax office before you launch your business.In the USA if you start a business without registering first with the IRS, you risk prison time. We want the MAST to succeed but they need to follow the law.
I tell you, in my opinion, the cornerstone of democracy is free press – that’s the cornerstone.
– Milos Forman
You are right, the cornerstone of every democracy is free press.
It is NOT illegal press.
Yes, but every business has to register to tax offices if they earn above a certain level.
All of must have a tax registration number and your earnings will determine whether you pay tax. Before MMD came to power every business had to have a license including street hawking. You couldn’t buy from a wholesale without this license. That you knew exactly who was doing what. Even bicycles had registration and paid road license
Has the Mast started earning income for them to register or is it a new company emerging?
Ba mumembe please don’t behave like an *****. You know the Laws of the Land so, why are you behaving like you’re ignorant of the Law? Prove to your so-called enemies that you’re doing the correct and right thing lest we forget ALL your humble contributions during the introduction of multiparty Politics in 1991 when UNIP was removed from power. Don’t play with fire, BOMA ni BOMA…
A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. – Nelson Mandela
@Nkope Shinyenga ni.o:
What kind of sh.it are you telling us now? Chi Boma cha nyoko which doesn’t follow its own laws ….and ignores Tax Tribunal Orders!!
What’s wrong with you Rat and Caterpillar Eaters? Go to He.ll you mother fuc.kers!!
BOMA
British Overseas Management Area?
I thought the British left Zambia in 1964
No wonder Zambia police behave like northern Rhodesian police
Kikiki
Sleeping with the enemy is dangerous mpaka company baisala. The post thought they had HE Sata under control proclaimed as a saint. Indeed he was because he was ahead of them. He understood that in order defeat your,work with your enemy. When King David was dying in the Bible ,he gave instructions to his son Solomon to kill the Commander of Joab. You never know the instructions HE Sata gave to HE Lungu when left him to act as President. Fred shud learn never to abandon the people who kept buying the post. He lost a lot customers in Satas time to the daily nation. He has been an enemy of the state and can only described in the same sentence as the GUPTAS
A critical independent investigative and law abiding press is the fountain for justice- Julius malema
Sleeping with the enemy is dangerous mpaka company baisala. The post thought they had HE Sata under control & proclaimed him a saint. Indeed he was because he was ahead of them. He understood that in order defeat your enemy,work with your enemy. When King David was dying in the Bible ,he gave instructions to his son Solomon to kill the Commander of Joab. You never know the instructions HE Sata gave to HE Lungu when he left him to act as President. Fred shud learn never to abandon the people who kept buying the post. He lost a lot customers in Satas time to the daily nation & fought tenders by blackmailing GBM,ZAMBEEF etc. He has been an enemy of the state and can only described in the same sentence as the GUPTAS
We are tired of these theories red card-for oncd just be sincere & agree that Lungu is a horrible dictator who is taking the country no where
awe Nuala, is it because of njala that you want tax from the Mast or you want to please Lungu; what about the street vendors who sell vegetables, flesh fish etc; what tax have they paid to ZRA?
Flesh fish????? Is it a mermaid we are selling???
Truth bwana is everyone is supposed to pay tax. I sale phones on the street. I am a registered tax payers and pay 3% of my sales every month. No one is exempted. The Mast should just register and start paying taxes before it accumulates like they did with the Post
@Wamuzala Research b4 u open yo Mouth, simple marketeers even in compounds are registered for Turn Over Tax were u remit 3% of yo Gross Sales to ZRA monthly, why shud the Mast not be Registered……Simple let them just register before they start accumulating some more penalties Under the so called “The Mast” Period
Mast supporters you are so.useless in.thinking , just advise your friend to pay inkongole period
So they want to operate an illegal business when when visited by the law, claim they are being victimized
It is like a very dark skinned thief who steals from people and when caught says I am being victimized because people don’t like me because I am dark skinned.
Mast, whatever you have decided to call yourself, please do the right thing rather than misbehave and then claim people don’t like you.
Any illegality will not be allowed.
@Chilyata! Wat v u gained frm insulting? Let’s debate developmental issues not insults. Its reality that pipo who insult their own parents find it exceptionally easy y to do that for others. Plz mind yo language& b sobre. Its not yo bedroom to foolishly rock the boat.
If my small company is registered with ZRA for tax remittance even though I’m not fully operational due non availability of jobs from would be clients, what about publications like The newly formed Mast?
The Mast shouldn’t implicate itself in avoidable frictions with the law by failing to register.
All those supporting the illegal publication of the Mast or whatever it is called for a simple reason as failing to register with ZRA are hypocrites.
Let Mmembe act responsibly just for once by acting in lawful manner. Let him register with ZRA and continue informing the nation without any hinderance whilst doing what is required of him as a genuine businessman by paying taxes.
Moreover that era of evading taxes when domestic business holders are doing so is long gone.
The Mast MUST pay Tax period.
ZRA a state machinery used to fix enemies of the government. Does ZNBC pay taxes? does daily mail pay taxes? Some people have accumulated billions in just three months, how much taxes have they paid to this chi ZRA. This is the reason we are going in reverse gear. You are busy fighting your enemies whilst your economy is shrinking as a result of those siding with you are being exempted from taxes. No govt is to stay for ever better do what is right at a right time.
any corporation must have a corporate and tax number, at least here in the west before start of operations. I run my own.
This what the Upnd wants to ignore as long as it helps them get state house. But remember you can’t use a crocodile to help you cross a river.
no AND between “corporate” and “tax” in the last statement
ZRA can you also tell us how much tax has Edgar Chakolwa Kaloba payed for his fortune 23 million he has acquired in just a year. Before I stop paying.
“I think that hate is a feeling that can only exist where there is no understanding.”
? Tennessee Williams, Sweet Bird of Youth
Ba Nez, you and UPND are very dull and playing to the gallery. Its only in Zambia were you can mess around with the Revenue authority with impunity.
How many people are renting out houses without paying tax? Let us get to the bottom of this tax business? How much tax did Lungu pay for the interest he earned on the billions in his bank account? Look at the bigger picture, if ZRA keeps targeting one individual, then we have a problem.
There is a colored woman “ZORA” Villa Elizabeth who rents out 10 flats on “Polonari Rd” at 1500 U$ per month plus a big house on the same plot without issuing any reciepts to the tenants. She also has other properties in other areas on rent without paying taxes.
That “targeted ” individual boasts that he’s untouchable. If ZRA discovered that you’re not paying tax on your properties rentals you’ll be “targeted ” too.
How much is the Mast??
Is it tax free??
Jail is beconing
Only a malicious person can support this lawlessness. Never phool yourselves, if HH had become president he was going to be a slave to Mmembe. Mmembe was going to dictate terms.
I m sure registration is done whether or not u make a profit. By your monthly returns ZRA monitors your performance & gets to know when u start to make profit so that u can start to pay tax.
How do you start paying TAX without selling anything? You mean immediately you register a business, you remit tax? I am lost! Is ZRA responsible for legalizing the running of a newspaper? You make a profit and pay tax. No profit no tax. All the mines have not paying tax when they declare losses, but no talk from government ZRA. Kwena ni pa Zambia!
Common sense dictates that tax is based on profit. How much profit has The MAST made in its two days of existence? Ignorance Yapa zed is frightening.
TO REGISTER A COMPANY YOU MUST REGISTER WITH ZRA AS WELL. AND STICK THE CERTIFICATE ON THE WALL. M,MEBE SHOULD NOT PLAY HIDE AND SEEK.. HE IS RIGHT NOW LIVINF IN A GLASS HOUSE. THROWING STONES AT THIS STAGE WILL NOT HELP HIM.
You totally miss the point.
ZRA is not demanding tax remission, but tax registration.
Before you commence your business, you have to have your company tax registered.
When you don’t make profit or while you are yet to commence business, you submit what is know ‘zero return’.
You don’t wait until you are making profit to register with Tax Authority.
If that were the case, what happens when make profit this yes and then the following two years you make loss? Are you going to go and deregister?
Talking about common sense in the midst of a complete lack of knowledge can be very embarrassing, at least for people with a minimum sense of remorse.
The issue is simple; no illegality should be allowed in the name of free press. Free to break the law?
Who said media…
Lungu is a bum!
You mean to say that some people are still crying for HH to.become president of Zambia? Laughable indeed…..they are proud to be donkeys? Hiho hiho.hiho hiho.hiho hiho
Most bloggers are so full and they don’t understand how the country should be run. We need to put pressure not only on but on companies which are supposed to pay what due to the government. Lack of patriotism has made the country where it is now.
If the tax collection efficient of ZRA is what was shown towards the mines, Zambian govt could have been among the top 3 richest countries in Africa. But because of politics, it has become a too to silence opposing voices
i think ZRA should do more in educating the masses the process of registration, first step u register with pacra then second step u register with ZRA, am sure the mast has not been registered with zra.
NEZ please stop exposing your foolishness i thought the english been used is clear…No company can operate in Zambia without registering with ZRA for tax purposes. And you are talking about press freedom if you can’t understand, you will not die by keeping quiet, the problem with you under 5 cadres is bitterness you just can’t oppose everything done by government, lawlessness is unacceptable therefore the mast must go and register. In fact police must arrest anyone selling the paper. Post news paper owes creditors k187 million kwacha and animals like NEZ for him such is very ookay Shameful.
Education is wasted. You register a company and if you make zero profit you pay zero tax. All that so-called Mast is follow the law. If HH was president was he going to allow this lawlessness where newspapers just spring up without order? Don’t be swayed by your emotions to become a ruling party. Remember what you do today will haunt you tomorrow.
A lie takes 1/2 way round the world before the truth manages to put on its pants Winston Churchill …….That’s Mmembe for you.
The Post/Mast, what ever they call themselves these days have brought nothing but confusion to Zambia’s young democracy. They started off as journalist but then became bigheaded and embarked on abusing their influence on Zambian politics. The paper became a vehicle for witch hunt on anyone who dared to challenge them. M’membe’s dream of becoming Zambia’s king maker was foiled when Late Mwanawasa ripped the script and ordered them to pay their depts for the failed airline venture. Power is so addictive in Zambia because fraudsters are not held accountable, in fact they are glorified by people with very short memory.
Not short memories but simply malicious. They deliberately develop short “memories “
The problem with some opposition members is that their destination is “State House ” and it doesn’t matter how. How will people judge you when you become selective in collection of taxes. Everyone knows that Mmembe ‘s company owes ZRA in millions and will to see this paid. Meanwhile Mmembe will say “I helped you win the election …..”. If don’t oblige he will resort to what he knows best. ,.creating stories. You can win an election without cheapening your party.
But i dont understand why some people complecate things the issue for mmembe is straight forward no remitting of ZRA,and the issue for mast paper is that they should just register to ZRA for them to operate without NOISE from ZRA simple.
Mwalya soapo ba ZRA. Right now freedom of expression means more than any income this PF govt will make for their pockets at the ordinary Zambians expense. Viva freedom of speech!!!
ZRA love to see companies closed and people in the street because of the power the yield at law. They are like the Zambia Police uzakamba kusogolo. The abuse power to intimidate law abiding Zambia.
Nzala sounds like Njala and it seems yamunyokola, who told this fool that the Mast should register as the Mast with ZRA? The Mast may be a publication or product of another registered company which Nzala is ignorant about. That is why we tell these fools that some Zambians are way ahead of you witch hunters or wizards.
the stupidity and idiocy being expressed by under five political party members on this site is cheap publicity seeking. it is mandatory for any new business in Zambia to register with ZRA, NAPSA AND WCFCB. It is illegal for any new undertaking to just start running their business without this registration. however, what is saddening is the inertia by the relevant agencies to move in swiftly and arrest thos involved. surely, ZRA, MUST LIAISE WITH SPECIAL BRANCH, DEC, ACC AND REGULAR POLICE AND PICK UP ALL THOSE INVOLVED. INFACT, I DONT BELIEVE THIS STUPID TABLOID IS REGISTERED WITH THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT AS PER REQUIREMENT OF THE LAW. PLEASE LAW ENFORCERS, WAKE UP YOU DONT NEED STATE HOUSE TO BREATHE ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
KAKOMA KANGANJA, JUST SIT DOWN WITH THE DG OF ZSIS AND DEC, PULL IN THIS BAFOON WHO THINKS HE IS ABOVE THE LAW. SLAP CHARGES ON HIM AND THROW HIM IN PRISON. SURELY HE CANT BE MORE BRAINY THAN OU GUYS. WHY ARE PEOPLE FLOUTING THE LAW IN THIS COUNTRY WITH IMPUNITY WHEN WE HAVE ALL THESE AGENCIES, WITH THEIR OPERATIVES DRIVING AROUND THE WHOLE COUNTRY. SOME OF THEM EVEN MOUNTING ROAD BLOCKS WHILE LEAVING LAW BREAKERS FREE TO HOLD THE COUNTRY TO RANSOM.
The “Mast” what a silly cheap lie Fred played, instead he should ‘ve waited till the dust settles. The problem with desperate people is, they stop at nothing to manifest their desperation. I feel pity for Fred, is it true that he owes all these organizations K180m, goooosh this guy is a swindler. Could be that he managed to trick all these guys to continue giving him loans because he convinced them that the British and Americans would pay for him in case of default, unfortunately he lied. Well, brother Fred and don’t envy you any longer, not at all. I used to admire you and your courage and determination but not any more. For goodness sake try and do something right for your remnant followers, as for me, goodbyes. Boma ni Boma.
@Kasanganio: Feasting on fae.ces in the Diaspora! What a mother fuc.ker you are!!
PF means pamafi, they have come to kill and destroy democracy. Cursed is the day PF came to power. The worst and cursed party in the history of Zambia. We normal Zambians hate dictators. Shame upon Lungu who has been pretending to be humble when he is big snake in green grass.
We have put a monster in State house.
Brothers and sisters we are one Zambia and one nation. No need to insults. Kupaya njoka ni Ku mutu. Don’t let the seed of corruption, non remittance of taxes and non registering of business for tax collection grow. Even Jesus was a friend of tax collectors. He even encouraged people to pay tax. Give to ceaser what belongs to ceaser (tax,)…. All governments depend on tax/ revenue to operate. Musiyeni Lungu jst obey the law.