The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has warned businesses and taxpayers to settle their outstanding tax arrears on or before December 31, 2024, or stand the risk of facing stiff sanctions, including interest charges.

Oliver Nzala, ZRA Corporate Communications Manager, who gave the warning, advised taxpayers experiencing cash flow challenges to consider entering a Time to Pay Agreement (TPA) with the Commission to avoid penalties.

He noted that the flexible arrangement would allow them to spread their tax payments over monthly installments, easing the burden of settling the arrears in one lump sum.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, Nzala reminded businesses that tax compliance was mandatory for renewing trading licenses and permits with local councils in 2025.

“As the financial year draws to a close, taxpayers must fulfill obligations such as submitting tax returns and paying outstanding taxes to avoid penalties,” Nzala said.

He added that support would be available for taxpayers approaching the December 31 deadline while encouraging taxpayers to act promptly to avoid the end-of-year rush, emphasizing that failing to meet the deadline could lead to accumulating interest on any unpaid amounts.

“To provide extra support, ZRA service centers and contact lines are open, ready to assist taxpayers,” he said, while extending appreciation to those who contribute to national development through their tax payments.

Zambia’s ruling party, the UPND, has warned opposition politicians and critics against personal attacks on President Hakainde Hichilema as his meekness should not be mistaken for weakness.

Secretary-General of the UPND, Batuke Imenda, who gave the warning in a statement in Lusaka on Monday, urged political opponents to always engage in mature and issue-based discourse.

Zambia Monitor reports that Imenda’s warning, was directed at the leader of Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP) party, Kelvin Bwalya Fube, whose recent remarks Imenda described as “provocative” and a “feeble attempt to mislead citizens.”

“Provocative words uttered by Kelvin Bwalya against our party and President Hichilema are a clear demonstration of naivety,” Imenda said in the statement.

He further advised Bwalya to abandon personal attacks and focus on substantial political issues.

The UPND Secretary suggested that Bwalya’s attacks stemmed from a desire for relevance amid declining political fortunes, hinting at a possible alignment with former President Edgar Lungu.

“It appears KBF is hoping that Edgar Lungu might support his embattled political career by unjustly attacking President Hichilema,” he said.

Imenda defended the President’s record, highlighting that under Hichilema’s leadership, Zambia’s democratic space had expanded compared to the previous PF administration, which he accused of stifling freedoms.

He noted that while criticism was welcome, it should not devolve into baseless attacks, warning that opposition figures should not misinterpret Hichilema’s restraint as weakness.

Imenda also criticized Bwalya for overlooking the gains in transparency and justice since the change in government, claiming that past regimes were marked by resource mismanagement and corruption.