Category: Zambia

Zambia lost $145m through tax evasion, smuggling of ethanol in 2017 – report

ZAMBIA last year lost US$145.5 million through tax evasion by unregistered and registered low-cost spirits producers and smuggling of ethanol and beverages, a report has revealed. And Vice-President Inonge Wina has backed Zambian Breweries’ Youth Mentorship Programme aimed at curbing alcohol abuse among youth and promoting positive and responsible decision-making… – Continue reading

ZRA commended for exposing the tax evasion scam

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has commended the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) for exposing the tax evasion scam worth K76.5 billion in the extractive sector. The center has also welcomed intentions by the authority to undertake an extensive audit of mining companies. CTPD Executive Director Isaac Mwaipopo… – Continue reading

Tax exemptions are narrowing Zambia’s tax base, says IMF Country Rep

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has observed that certain tax exemptions are narrowing Zambia’s tax base which urgently needs to be broadened to allow Government collect more revenue for development. IMF Zambia country representative, Alfredo Baldini, observed that tax exemptions on certain areas which had special treatment were narrowing the… – Continue reading

Is Ireland making unfair tax deals with developing countries?

A new report says little has changed after a number of global tax scandals… Ireland is entering unfair tax deals with developing countries according to a new report on ‘sweetheart deals’ in the EU. Of the 18 countries in the study, Ireland is found to have on average “introduced the… – Continue reading

Ireland’s tax treaties costing poorer countries, claims NGO

Ireland’s tax treaties with poorer countries are some of the most restrictive in the world, limiting the taxing rights of those countries, an international NGO has claimed. Action Aid said that globally, tax treaties cost developing countries billions every year. In a report released yesterday, the body said it has… – Continue reading

Tanzania: Managing Tax Risks – Double Tax Treaties and Implications

Can tax treaty provisions override domestic law?In our last article we defined double taxation as an exposure to tax more than once on the same profit or income. We also highlighted the two types of double taxation i.e. economic double taxation and juridical double taxation and also noted that a… – Continue reading

Tanzania: Managing Tax Risks – Double Tax Treaties and Implications to Undertakings of Multinationals

The term double taxation refers to an exposure to tax more than once on the same profit or income. There are two types of double taxation i.e. economic double taxation and juridical double taxation. Economic double taxation is broad and occurs in a situation where an amount of income is… – Continue reading

Irish – Zambian DTA entered into force on December 23, 2015

The Irish Revenue has published a statement announcing that on December 23, 2015 the Convention between Ireland and the Republic of Zambia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital Gains (Hereafter: the new DTA) as concluded on… – Continue reading

Retrospectiva2015: Angolan diplomacy in the context of diversification of the economy

Luanda – Throughout the year just ended, as in the previous, the country’s economy “found himself grappling” with a major setback if they can be considered, due to the continued drop in oil prices, which is in the house $ 37 a barrel, far from the historic $ 122 value,… – Continue reading

ATAF pushes for scrapping of double taxation

THE African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has come up with a draft document on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion within the continent. The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), a member of ATAF, has said avoidance of taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion was with respect to taxes… – Continue reading

GOVT TO PAY OUTSTANDING $300M TO PTA BANK

By SYLVESTER MWALE – THE Government has resolved to liquidate the outstanding US$300 million owed to Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development (PTA) Bank accumulated through petroleum importation. The arrears would be dismantled in four installments within a period of one year. Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili said in… – Continue reading

East Africa: New Reporting Code for Mncs Could Save Africa $35b

East African countries expect to collect more revenue under a new code drawn, by the world’s richest economies to stop foreign multinationals from dodging taxes in host countries. The new code — Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) — adopted by G20 at its meeting in Turkey two weeks ago,… – Continue reading

Kenya and South Africa tax deal takes effect in January

The Kenya-South Africa double taxation agreement comes into force from January 1. An announcement in the November 19, South African government gazette says the agreement applies for taxes withheld at source. “A resident of Kenya will not be taxed on any South African business profits, unless it carries on business… – Continue reading

CURB TAX AVOIDANCE, SAYS ACTION AID

AFRICA needs to take a leading role in coming up with ways of combating tax avoidance and other illicit financial flows (IFFs) because the continent is losing a lot of resources through the scourge. Action Aid Zambia (AAZ) country director Pamela Chisanga said Africa should not wait for developed countries… – Continue reading

Kenya: ‘Kenya Losing Billions to Tax Havens’

The government has been accused of opening a loophole that allows super rich individuals and multinational companies to avoid taxes. The Tax Justice Network (TJN), a lobby group, has sued the government over agreements, which it says are robbing Kenya of the ability to raise revenues domestically, driving the country… – Continue reading

Ireland’s Finance Bill 2015 – key changes for international companies and financial institutions

Following the recent Irish budget statement (the “Budget”), the Finance Bill 2015 (the “Bill”) has been published and it implements the changes announced by the Irish Minister for Finance (the “Minister”). The Bill includes additional detail on: the new knowledge development box (“KDB”); and Ireland’s implementation of country by country… – Continue reading

Illicit flows worry ZRA

Zambia Revenue Authority-ZRA- Commissioner General Berlin Msiska says Africa needs to work together to address illegal Financial Flows. Mr Msiska says international cooperation is required because illegal financial flows affect all regions of the continent. He says African Tax administrations can achieve a more effective and efficient relationship through initiatives… – Continue reading

Political courage needed on tackling inequality

Government must make good on its vows, says Jamie Livingstone In less than two weeks, leaders from 193 states will meet at the United Nations in New York to formally adopt, in effect, a new plan to fight extreme poverty, tackle inequality and end hunger. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)… – Continue reading

Netherlands Revises Treaties To Support BEPS Work

The Government of Netherlands has successfully negotiated the inclusion of anti-abuse provisions, aimed at combating cross-border tax avoidance, in tax treaties with Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia. At present, talks are being held with another seven countries and new agreements with several other countries are expected to be concluded… – Continue reading

ZRA grants tax deferment

Zambia Revenue Authority -ZRA- Commissioner General Berlin Msiska says the authority has granted tax deferment to some mining firms following cash flow challenges in the sector. Mr. Msiska says the deferment was given after the said firms applied because of challenges facing the sector and was granted in accordance with… – Continue reading

IBFD holds first-ever Africa tax symposium

Bring together an impressive group of respected tax professionals from all over Africa, International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD) is set to hold “Africa Tax Symposium, Trends in International Taxation: An African Perspective,” from June 18-19, 2015 in Livingstone, Zambia. IBFD announces that its inaugural The two-day event will present… – Continue reading

Mining tax to affect deficit budget

KELLY NJOMBO, Lusaka THE Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says Government’s discussion to approve changes to the mineral royalty tax regime will result in the increase in primary budget deficit and possible limiting of expenditure. JCTR says the threat of job losses, placing the mines under care and maintenance… – Continue reading

Govt establishes debt management office

NATIONAL debt will soon come under effective and professional control, thanks to the national debt management office whose establishment is reportedly in the final stages, the national assembly heard on Friday. Deputy Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba under the envisaged office, the national debt will be effectively, efficiently and closely monitored… – Continue reading

Action Aid Zambia urges ZRA to get information on Tax evasion from EIB

Action Aid Zambia has welcomed the European Ombudsman ruling that the European Investment Bank (EIB) should reconsider its refusal to grant access to the findings of their investigation into alleged tax dodging by mining company Glencore’s Mopani subsidiary. And Action Aid Zambia has called on Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to… – Continue reading

EU bank breaches own rules in Glencore Zambia tax dodging investigation

The European Investment Bank, which gives loans and grants using taxpayers’ money, acted wrongly when it refused to disclose details of alleged tax evasion by mining giant Glencore, the EU’s watchdog has ruled. The EIB failed to disclose the results of its own investigation into the allegations surrounding a mining… – Continue reading

Tax and investment protection trends in Africa in 2014 and predictions for 2015

In the African tax sphere, the trend remains for headline tax rates to continue to remain stable or decrease. Withholding tax rates have generally remained stable, although the experience of Dentons and our clients is that African tax authorities are requiring tax to be withheld from payments that have not… – Continue reading

Mining Firms Urge Cuts In Zambia’s New Royalty Rates

The increased mining tax framework included in Zambia’s 2015 Budget earlier this month has been subject to criticism as, according to the Chamber of Mines of Zambia (CMZ), it will reduce the country’s attraction for mining investment and reduce employment. In his budget speech, Zambian Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda proposed… – Continue reading

Nigeria: Transfer Pricing Africa (Part II)

n this second part of our overview of current transfer pricing regulations on the African continent, we focus on relevant provisions in, amongst others, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda. The Ghanaian Transfer Pricing Regulations, 2012 (L.I.2188) (the Ghanaian Regulations) were introduced by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on 27 July 2012,… – Continue reading

ActionAid Asks EIB to Publish Report on Mopani Tax Evasion

The following joint press release was circulated by non-governmental organisations ActionAid Zambia, Christian Aid, and Counter Balance, including the full text of their letter appealing to the European Investment Bank (EIB) to publish their findings on possible tax evasion activity at the Mopani Copper Mine, which is owned and operated… – Continue reading

Glencore report: European Investment Bank must drag its secrets into the light

Reasons given by the bank for refusing to publish findings of an investigation into alleged tax evasion remain unconvincing When commodities giant Glencore publishes its half-yearly report on Wednesday, it is unlikely to mention what may be a significant victory for the firm. This relates to an investigation into allegations… – Continue reading