In 2026, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has moved from “periodic audits” to “real-time monitoring.” The integration of the Tax and Revenue Management System (TaRMS) with the Fiscalisation Data Management System (FDMS) means every transaction is now visible to the taxman the moment it happens.
To stay compliant and avoid the automatic penalties triggered by this high-tech system, businesses must adopt a proactive strategy.
1. Ensure Multi-Currency Fiscalisation (USD & ZiG)
ZIMRA’s FDMS is designed to track currency-specific data. Since the 2025/2026 tax year requires reporting in the currency of trade:
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Update Your Devices: Ensure your fiscal device or software (API) is configured to differentiate between USD and ZiG (ZWG).
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The “50/50 Rule”: If your USD revenue exceeds 50%, you must pay 50% of your tax in USD. The FDMS tracks this ratio in real-time; trying to “re-classify” cash sales at year-end will now trigger a system red flag.
2. Transition to “Virtual” Fiscalisation
While physical fiscal gadgets are still in use, ZIMRA is pushing for Virtual Fiscal Devices (VFDs).
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API Integration: If you use accounting software like Xero, Sage, or a custom ERP, you should interface directly with ZIMRA via an API.
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Validation: Every invoice must now have a verifiable QR Code. If your customer scans that code and it doesn’t show as “Valid” on the ZIMRA portal, they won’t be able to claim Input VAT, and you will likely lose their business (or face a report).
3. The “Matching Rule” for Input Tax
The single biggest shift in TaRMS is how Input VAT is claimed.
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Automatic Pre-population: When you log in to file your VAT return, ZIMRA now pre-fills your Input Tax schedule based on what your suppliers have fiscalised.
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The Compliance Chain: If your supplier is not compliant or failed to upload the transaction to FDMS, you cannot claim the credit.
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Action Step: Regularly reconcile your purchases against your TaRMS ledger throughout the month. Don’t wait until the 10th of the following month to find out a major supplier “forgot” to fiscalise an invoice.
4. Accurate Master Data in TaRMS
TaRMS relies on “clean data” to issue ITF 263 (Tax Clearance Certificates) automatically.
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Bank Linking: Ensure your business bank account is correctly linked to your TaRMS Single Account.
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Email & Address: Notifications for audits, assessments, and the certificates themselves are sent to the email on file. If your email is outdated, you might miss a 7-day window to respond to a query, leading to an automatic assessment.
5. Summary of Compliance Steps
| Action Item | Frequency | Why it Matters |
| Open/Close Fiscal Day | Daily | Ensures data is transmitted to FDMS; prevents “missing” sales gaps. |
| Reconcile TaRMS Ledger | Weekly | Identify suppliers who haven’t fiscalised your purchases. |
| Submit Returns (VAT/PAYE) | Monthly | Late filing triggers automatic interest in TaRMS. |
| QPD Payments | Quarterly | Avoids the 30% withholding penalty from your own clients. |
Dormancy & New Entities
Even if your business is currently dormant, you must register on TaRMS and file Nil Returns. The system is designed to “expect” a return from every registered TIN. If you remain silent, the system will eventually generate an “Estimated Assessment,” which includes penalties that can be difficult to reverse once they are on your ledger.
