By Panashe Divine Karidzagundi
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has urged taxpayers to submit their March 2026 returns by April 5, warning that failure to comply will result in penalties and possible prosecution.
In a public notice issued on April 4, 2026, ZIMRA said all tax returns for the period ending March 31 must be filed on or before April 5, while payments are due by April 10, in line with Statutory Instrument 81 of 2025.
The tax categories affected include Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Withholding Taxes, Mining Royalties, Value Chain Withholding Tax, Presumptive Tax, Gaming Operators’ Tax, Fast Foods Tax, Plastic Carrier Bag Tax, and various sector-specific levies such as those on tobacco and specified minerals.
ZIMRA said some returns must be submitted online through its Self-Service Portal, except for Gaming Operators’ Tax and Presumptive Tax on Rental Income, which require manual submission at ZIMRA offices.
Employers have also been reminded to submit PAYE returns using the TaRMS platform, in accordance with Public Notice No. 05 of 2025. The authority noted that proper submission procedures are critical to ensure compliance and avoid delays in processing.
On payments, ZIMRA said taxpayers can deposit funds into its bank accounts via cash deposits or bank transfers. The authority stressed the importance of correctly capturing the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), as banks use it to validate and process transactions.
“Without submission of a tax return, no tax obligation will have been correctly accounted for,” ZIMRA said, adding that this may affect the automatic issuance of tax clearance certificates.
The revenue authority also encouraged taxpayers with outstanding returns or overdue payments to regularize their tax affairs immediately to avoid legal action.
ZIMRA reiterated that full compliance within the stipulated deadlines is mandatory.
“Failure to comply will result in penalties and/or prosecution,” the authority warned.
The notice forms part of ZIMRA’s ongoing efforts to enhance tax compliance and revenue collection under its “My Taxes, My Duties: Building My Zimbabwe” campaign.