Zimbabwe beats tax collection target

Zimbabwe’s tax revenue authority (Zimra) has exceeded its target for collections for 2022, state-owned The Herald news site reports, adding that the agency surpassed its target by 26.47%.

Zimra improved revenue collection by increasing audits, ramping up door-to-door visits and stronger measures at border posts. Revenue collection rose from Z$1.6 trillion to Z$2 trillion ($55m-$68m; £45m-£55m).

Taxes from individuals surpassed the set target by 70.9% and revenue from customs and VAT was also up, according to The Herald.

The increase in revenue is also attributable to rising salaries to keep pace with a depreciating currency and with annual inflation which ended the year at 243%, the 13th cheque (Christmas bonus) payments and an increasing number of companies paying wages in US dollars.

Despite the increase in tax collections in the last few years delivery of services has not improved, with public sector workers often going on strike over lack of equipment or dismal pay.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

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