Question 1

Do you file ZIMRA tax returns for us?

Accepted Answer

Yes — We File Your ZIMRA Returns

Tax return filing is one of our core business services. We handle the entire process on your behalf.

What We File

Monthly or quarterly VAT returns filed through the ZIMRA eTax portal. We prepare the return, reconcile your figures, and submit — you just approve.

Monthly PAYE returns (Form P2) with reconciliation. We ensure your payroll deductions are correctly reported and any outstanding PAYE is identified early.

Annual corporate tax return preparation and submission. We also manage your quarterly tax payment dates (QPDs) to avoid penalties.

Withholding tax returns for contractors, suppliers, and directors where applicable.

How It Works

Tax Clearance Certificate

We also manage your ITF 263 (Tax Clearance). In 2026, tax clearance is now issued monthly by ZIMRA (auto-generated for compliant taxpayers). Without a valid certificate, 30% is withheld from payments you receive. We monitor your compliance status so your clearance is never interrupted.

> ZIMRA compliance is not optional — but it doesn't have to be stressful. We handle it so you can focus on your business.

Question 2

How long does company registration take?

Accepted Answer

Company Registration Timeline ⏱️

Typical timeline: 2–3 working days, subject to CIPO processing.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

What You Receive

For PLC (Private Limited Company):
Certificate of Incorporation
CR 6 (registered office address)
CR 14 (directors & secretary particulars)
Memorandum & Articles of Association
Company stamp
Share certificates

For PBC (Private Business Corporation):
Certificate of Incorporation
CR 28 Form (Statement of Incorporation)

> Express service available — contact us for same-day registration options.

Question 3

What's the difference between a PLC and a PBC?

Accepted Answer

PLC vs PBC: Choosing the Right Structure

Private Limited Company (PLC)

95%+ of registered companies in Zimbabwe

Structure:
Separate legal entity
Shareholders NOT personally liable for debts
Min 2 directors + 2 shareholders (18+)
At least 1 Zimbabwe-resident director
Corporate shareholders allowed
Requires Company Secretary (qualified)

Compliance:
Annual Returns + AGM Declaration
Higher compliance burden

Best for:
Businesses planning to scale
Seeking investment
Government contract tenders

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Private Business Corporation (PBC)

Simpler, lower-compliance alternative

Structure:
Only individuals as members (1-20)
No corporate members
Members manage collectively
No Company Secretary required
Appoint Accounting Officer instead

Compliance:
Declaration of Business Continuance (not Annual Returns)
No AGM requirement
Lower compliance burden

Best for:
Sole traders
Small family businesses
Professionals (lawyers, architects, accountants)

> Both protect personal assets. We can help you choose based on your goals.

Question 4

What is SI 108 and what happens if we miss the deadline?

Accepted Answer

SI 108 of 2025 — One-Time Mandatory Re-Registration

Statutory Instrument 108 of 2025 requires all companies that were registered under the old paper-based registry system to complete a one-time re-registration under the new electronic Companies Registry.

> ⚠️ Deadline: 20 April 2026. This is a firm statutory deadline — no extensions have been announced.

Who Must Re-Register?

Companies registered before Zimbabwe's switch to the electronic registry. If you received a physical certificate of incorporation and have never re-registered on the new system, this applies to you.

Consequences of Missing the Deadline
Automatic Deregistration — Your company ceases to exist as a legal entity on 21 April 2026
Frozen Accounts — Banks must freeze accounts of deregistered entities immediately
Asset Forfeiture Risk — Assets of a deregistered company may be subject to forfeiture to the State
No Warning Issued — The Registrar does not send reminders. There is no grace period.

This is NOT Annual Returns

SI 108 re-registration is a separate, one-time process — it is distinct from:
Annual Returns (filed yearly with the Registrar)
ZIMRA compliance filings
NSSA registration

How We Can Help

Status check — we verify whether your company needs to re-register
Full re-registration filing — all documents prepared and submitted for you
Urgent processing — we prioritise cases close to the April 2026 deadline

Question 5

What is a Tax Clearance Certificate (ITF 263)?

Accepted Answer

Tax Clearance Certificate (ITF 263) Explained

Proof that your business is fully compliant with ZIMRA tax obligations.

When You Need It
Bidding for government tenders
Receiving payments from clients (30% withholding without it)
Opening certain bank accounts
Import/export activities

Validity Period (2026 Rules)

Since December 2025, ITF263 certificates are now issued monthly by default — auto-generated through the TaRMS system for compliant taxpayers. Any compliance lapse (late returns, unpaid taxes, fiscalisation issues) blocks the next month's certificate immediately.

> Note: Following significant business backlash, ZIMRA has signalled a possible transition to differentiated validity (up to 6 months for large taxpayers, 3 months for SMEs). This is a proposed framework still under consultation — always verify the current policy with ZIMRA or your tax advisor.

Important Notes
Verified via QR code on ZIMRA portal
Compliance must be continuous — monthly auto-issuance depends on all returns filed and taxes paid
NIL return filers are flagged and may not receive clearance without ZIMRA authorisation

30% Withholding Rule

Companies must withhold 30% from suppliers without valid ITF 263 on amounts exceeding USD 1,000 per year.

> We handle ITF 263 applications and renewals so you don't have to navigate ZIMRA bureaucracy.

Question 6

Do I need to be a Zimbabwean resident to register a company?

Accepted Answer

Non-Resident Company Registration

Short answer: No, but...

The Requirement

At least one director of a PLC must be ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe.

What Non-Residents CAN Do

Be co-directors
Be shareholders
Own 100% of the company

If You're Outside Zimbabwe

We assist with:
Non-resident company registration
Local registered office address service
All legal compliance requirements

Diaspora-Friendly Process

Everything can be done remotely via:
Email
WhatsApp
Video calls

> No need to travel to Zimbabwe — we've helped hundreds of diaspora clients register companies remotely.

Question 7

What documents do I need to register a company?

Accepted Answer

Registration Document Checklist

For a PLC (Private Limited Company)

From Directors & Shareholders:
National ID or passport copies (all directors & shareholders)
Proof of residential address
3-5 proposed company names (in order of preference)

Company Documents (we prepare these):
📄 Memorandum & Articles of Association
📄 CR 6 — Registered office address
📄 CR 14 — Director & secretary particulars
📄 Name reservation certificate

For a PBC (Private Business Corporation)
Member ID copies (1-20 members)
Proof of address
3-5 proposed company names
📄 Statement of Incorporation (we prepare this)

After Registration (ZIMRA)
Certificate of Incorporation
Company bank account statement
Appointment of Public Officer (must be Zimbabwe resident)

> We handle all document preparation — you just provide your IDs, addresses, and preferred company names.

Question 8

What is a BP Number and how do I get one?

Accepted Answer

ZIMRA Business Partner (BP) Number

Your company's unique tax identity with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

What It Is

A BP Number is your tax registration number — like a national ID, but for your business. Required for all tax-related activities.

When You Need It
Filing tax returns
Invoicing clients (must appear on tax invoices)
Opening business bank accounts
📄 Applying for Tax Clearance (ITF 263)
🏗️ Bidding for government tenders

How to Get One

Step 1: Register your company (PLC or PBC)
Step 2: Complete ZIMRA REV 1 form
Step 3: Submit with:
Certificate of Incorporation
CR 14 (directors)
Company bank statement
Public Officer appointment letter

Step 4: ZIMRA issues your BP Number

Timeline

Typically 3–5 working days after submission, subject to ZIMRA processing times.

> We handle the entire ZIMRA registration — from form completion to BP Number collection.

Question 9

Do I need to register for VAT?

Accepted Answer

VAT Registration in Zimbabwe

Mandatory Registration

You must register for VAT if your annual taxable turnover exceeds USD 25,000.

Voluntary Registration

You can register voluntarily even below the threshold. This is useful if:
Your clients are VAT-registered (they can claim input VAT)
You want to claim VAT on business purchases
It adds credibility for larger contracts

What VAT Registration Means
Charge VAT on your taxable sales
Claim back VAT on business expenses
File VAT returns monthly via the ZIMRA eTax portal
Keep proper VAT records for 6 years

> Current standard VAT rate: 15.5% (applicable from 1 January 2026 per the Finance Act 2026). VAT rates are set by Parliament and subject to change — always verify the current rate at zimra.co.zw.

Common Mistake

Many new businesses don't realize they've crossed the threshold until it's too late — resulting in penalties and back-dated VAT assessments.

> We monitor your turnover and advise on the right time to register. We also handle monthly VAT returns.

Question 10

What is NSSA and do I need to register?

Accepted Answer

NSSA Registration Explained

What is NSSA?

National Social Security Authority — Zimbabwe's social security body. Two schemes:
Pension & Other Benefits Scheme (POBS)

Mandatory if you have employees.
Employee contributes 4.5% of insurable earnings
Employer contributes 4.5% of insurable earnings
Total: 9% of insurable earnings
Earnings ceiling: USD $700/month — contributions are calculated on the first $700 only
Example: employee earns $900/month → NSSA = 4.5% × $700 = $31.50 each side
Covers: pension, disability, survivors' benefits
Accident Prevention & Workers' Compensation (APWCS)

Mandatory for all employers.
Employer-only contribution
Rate varies by industry risk (0.5% - 3%)
Covers: workplace injuries, occupational diseases

When to Register

Register with NSSA within 30 days of becoming an employer (i.e., hiring your first employee). Note: ZIMRA PAYE registration has a separate 14-day deadline.

Penalties for Non-Compliance
Late registration fines
Back-dated contributions with interest
Potential criminal prosecution

> We register your company with NSSA and set up monthly contribution calculations as part of our payroll service.

Question 11

What happens if I miss my Annual Returns?

Accepted Answer

Annual Returns & Compliance Penalties

What Are Annual Returns?

Every PLC must file Annual Returns with the Registrar of Companies every year, confirming:
Directors and secretary details
Registered office address
Share capital structure
AGM declaration

What Happens If You Don't File?

Year 1: Penalty fees accumulate
Year 2+: Company may be struck off the register
Struck off: Your company is deregistered — you lose the legal entity

Re-Registration Under SI 108 of 2025

Important: SI 108 of 2025 is a separate, one-time process — it is not the same as Annual Returns.

SI 108 applies to companies that were registered under the old paper-based system and need to migrate to the electronic Companies Registry. The deadline for this one-time re-registration is 20 April 2026.

If your company has been struck off for missing Annual Returns, that is a different process from SI 108 re-registration. We can help with both.

PBC Equivalent

PBCs file a Declaration of Business Continuance instead of Annual Returns. Same principle — miss it and risk deregistration.

Prevention
Set calendar reminders
Or better — let us handle it

> We track all your compliance deadlines and file on time, every time. Contact us for annual compliance package details.

Business Compliance

Business Compliance