ZRA postpones property tax payment date

ZANZIBAR: Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA) has extended the due date for payment of property tax to November 30th, 2023.

The date was pushed from September 30, 2023 to present property owners with ample period of two more months to strategize and fulfill their tax obligations without incurring any penalties, as stipulated in Section 33 of the Tax Administration and Procedures Act, No. 7 of 2009.

The  decision comes in light of a new Legal Notice (LN) No. 78 of 2023, issued by the Minister of State President’s Office, Finance and Planning where the specific amounts of property tax has to be paid annually in accordance with the Property Tax Act, No. 14 of 2008.

In the public notice on Wednesday, the ZRA said that property owners were initially required to pay their property tax by September 30, 2023, with the tax year ending on June 30 the following year, as per Section 10 of the Property Tax Act.

“Based on the aforesaid provision of the law, the established specific c amounts of property tax are payable on or before 30th day of September, 2023… However, due to the fact that, the categories of property have been recently established under the Legal Notice (LN) No. 78 of 2023, it is therefore a good ground and sufficient cause to warrant extension of time for due date on payment of property tax for 2023/2024”, read the statement, signed by the authority’s Commissioner General Yusuph  Mwenda.

According to the statement, the ZRA has also pledged to launch awareness campaigns and provide guidance on compliance procedures so as to facilitate the extended payment period..

“Property owners are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and ensure their property taxes are paid promptly” read the statement.