VICTORIA FALLS, Aug. 1 (NewsDay Live) – The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has urged accountants to play a more active role in strengthening tax compliance, saying the profession will be critical to improving revenue collection as the tax authority modernises its systems and tightens enforcement.
Speaking at the 2026 Winter School of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ), ZIMRA Regional Manager for Domestic Taxes, Gamuchirai Makwangudze, said accountants occupy a strategic position in helping businesses meet their tax obligations through accurate financial reporting, ethical conduct and sound record-keeping.
“As accountants, we really need to lead taxpayers and our organisations in the right direction. We need to work in partnership because our shared goal is compliance and success,” Makwangudze said.
Her remarks come as the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority intensifies efforts to boost domestic revenue through digital transformation, legislative reforms and enhanced compliance measures aimed at broadening the tax base while simplifying tax administration.
Makwangudze said accountants should be regarded as strategic partners in strengthening Zimbabwe’s tax system rather than simply preparing financial statements.
“We need to collaborate and support the compliance agenda. Accountants are very important in ensuring that whatever we do assists in improving compliance. You are strategic partners because you contribute to accurate financial reporting and ethical conduct,” she said.
She said Zimbabwe’s evolving tax landscape requires a modern compliance framework that balances efficient revenue collection with improved taxpayer services.
“We are operating in an evolving tax environment that demands a modern compliance framework balancing efficient revenue collection with better taxpayer services. As ZIMRA, we are undergoing a digital transformation and implementing legislative reforms that are changing how taxpayers meet their obligations and how the authority administers the tax system,” Makwangudze said.
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She added that accountants, tax agents and finance officers play a pivotal role in helping taxpayers understand and comply with tax laws.
“You advise taxpayers on registration, maintaining proper records and ensuring that they comply fully with the law. That partnership is essential if we are to improve compliance,” she said.
Zimbabwe has increasingly relied on domestic tax revenues to finance public expenditure as limited access to international financing has increased pressure on internal revenue mobilisation. In response, ZIMRA has accelerated the rollout of digital tax platforms, strengthened compliance initiatives and introduced reforms aimed at reducing tax leakages, improving efficiency and expanding the country’s tax base.
Makwangudze said stronger collaboration between the tax authority and accounting professionals would be essential to building a more transparent, efficient and compliant tax system capable of supporting Zimbabwe’s long-term fiscal sustainability.
“Our success depends on working together. When accountants guide taxpayers to comply with the law and maintain accurate records, they strengthen the integrity of the tax system and contribute to sustainable revenue collection,” she said.
