The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has successfully registered approximately 100,000 new taxpayers this year, marking progress in the national initiative to broaden the tax base and integrate Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) into the formal economy.

The surge in registrations was announced by ZIMRA Commissioner General Regina Chinamasa, in a speech delivered on her behalf by Head of Compliance and Automation Adrian Swarres, during a public lecture at the Zimbabwe National Defence University in Harare.

The progress is attributed to targeted outreach programmes focused on informal traders and SMEs, coupled with the introduction of simplified tax regimes designed to make compliance easier and more accessible.

“Throughout the year, we have had an outreach programme targeting small to medium enterprises… by providing simplified tax regimes to bring them on board, to make it easier for them to comply,” Mr. Swarres stated after the lecture.

This strategic move is central to ZIMRA’s broader objective of strengthening revenue mobilisation while simultaneously fostering business growth through an inclusive and user-friendly taxation framework.

“So far, we have 100,000 who have been brought on board. Now what is required is to nurture them and ensure that they grow so that they continue to contribute to the needs of the country,” Mr. Swarres added.

The initiative directly complements the Government’s ease of doing business reforms, which include reducing certain fees and taxes to encourage voluntary compliance and stimulate business expansion.

Recognizing that most smaller businesses lack the structured record-keeping systems of large corporations, ZIMRA is promoting the use of presumptive taxes.

This system assumes a standard tax liability but offers taxpayers the incentive to pay less if they maintain proper financial records.

The simplified tax framework is crucial, given that official data indicates small businesses contribute about 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The announcement comes alongside reports of growth across several key tax heads over the past five years, reflecting improved compliance and economic activity.