The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has denied assertions from members of the public that the Tax Payers Identification Number (TPIN) is another form of tax.
ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda says the information is to the contrary but merely an identification process to benefit the Zambian people.Mr. Sikalinda said the Authority will not deduct a single ngwee or Kwacha from the citizens of Zambia but encouraged individuals and corporate entities to submit their particulars at their respective banks.
Mr. Sikalinda was speaking in an interview in Lusaka yuesretday.
“ZRA will not deduct a single coin from the people or bank account holders. TPIN is just an identification like a number on the green national registration card (NRC),” he said.
Mr. Sikalinda disclosed that the Authority is receiving overwhelming response from members of the public, corporate bodies and organizations who have registered their TPINs.
The Corporate Communications Manager further disclosed that over 336,000 individuals including organisations have so far been captured by the Authority as of February month end.
Mr. Sikalinda said the Authority issued a total of 270,000 TPIN certificates last year far beyond the target of 87,000 to applicants compared to 16,000 certificates in 2016.
He regretted that applications from the members of the public could not all be issued with TPIN certificates because of some incorrect data on their application forms.
He said ZRA receives an average of 1,500 TPIN applications on a daily basis.He commended the Bankers Association of Zambia, commercial financial institutions as well as individuals who have complied and registered their TPINs.Meanwhile, Mr. Sikalinda said the March 31st deadline for TPIN registration is final and there would not be any extension after that date.
He disclosed that the Authority is currently conducting vigorous sensitization campaigns in order to educate the Zambian populace on the need for TPINs.
This is not true. when you go to ZRA FOR CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP OF A VEHICLE, ONE IS ISSUED WITH A TPIN NUMBER WHICH ACCUMULATES INCOME TAX AND YOU FIND YOURSELF BEING CHARGED WITH PENALTIES FROM SOMETHING YOU HAD TO HAVE FOR A SIMPLE ISSUE. THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT PROPERLY BY THE AUTHORITY.
SO, WE SHOULD, LIKE HAKAINDE, OPEN ACCOUNTS, OFFSHORE?
“Meanwhile, Mr. Sikalinda said the March 31st deadline for TPIN registration is final and there would not be any extension after that date.”
I don’t understand the meaning of this sentence. This is like putting a final date for NRC registration. New people are qualifying for registration every day.
Its just one way of stealing the monies from us poor Zamians.pf government ya ba kawalala beka beka…..lol
More TAX & less money in our pockets!!
@ Pompi, I am equally surprised with their deadline. Does it mean that they will be no PIN registration after the 31 March deadline?
What happens when I return to Zambia after the deadline date?
May be it means all those with bank accounts will be blocked and will not access there money
Failure to communicate and educate by this govt!!
Paya fellows
What is the TPIN for when we already have NRCs?
ZRA employees working in borders are corrupt and stealing alot of money when clearing vehicles.
Thank for the information on the tpin numbers. Iam kindly requesting zra communication officer to shed more light on the issue of withholding tax. What i donot really understand is the issue of were a tenant has to register the landlord’s property without the authority of the owner. I feel as a tenant i have a restriction on the landlord’s property. Why should l register? Please enlighten me on this.
ZRA ARE NOT CONVINCING
POOR ZAMBIANS ALREADY OVER.-TAXED
NO NEW BANK ACCOUNTS AFTER DEADLINE?
My contribution on the TPIN issue is this; ZRA must understand that we still HV a lot of account holders who hv not even not Heard or know the importance of TPIN. Esp. those in the remote hard to reach places of zambia. I urge u to enhence on the sensitisation. Some see it on ATM but what is missing is explanation.