Responding to the second reading of the Finance Bill (Mid-term budget review statement) in the National Assembly Tuesday, Biti suggested that the tax-free threshold be increased from the proposed ZWL$600, 000 to ZWL$4000, 000 per year.
“I rise to make contributions on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill that is before this august House,” said Biti.
“I want to make the submission with great respect to my learned friend, my esteemed friend, the Minister of Finance, that the general tone of all his Finance Bills is one that is targeted at trying to squeeze the water from rocks. So if you look persistently throughout the Finance Bill, there are increases in tax measures in an economy where the majority are unemployed and the majority are living in extreme poverty.”
According to the latest statistics from ZIMVAC (Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee) Report, over 60% of Zimbabweans are living in extreme poverty.
“Our economy is prone to recessions and depressions,” said Biti.
“If you have an economy that is prone to depressions and recessions, you must encourage economic activity to rise out of stagflation by creating disposable income for the citizens. Regrettably, the Minister does not do that in this Finance Bill. I want to start Mr Speaker Sir, with the issue of the proposed increase in the tax-free bracket from ZWL$300 000 to ZWL$600 000 annually.”
Biti further explained: “If you divide ZWL$600 000 by 12 months, you get an income of ZWL$50 000. Fifty thousand RTGS hardly buys anything. The consumer price basket for a family of six in Zimbabwe right now is US$300. If you use Z$50 000, it is less than US$50. The tax-free threshold of Z$600 000 becomes meaningless. I, therefore, propose that the minimum tax-free threshold must be as close to the poverty datum line of US$300 which would take the tax-free threshold to an income of at least ZWL$4 000 000 per year. That would offer some cushion and relief to the taxpayer.
In this inflationary environment, Biti said, the tax-free threshold of ZWL$50 000 per month does not help or cushion anyone.
“The same applies to the upper tax threshold,” said Biti.
“The Minister proposes to impose a punitive tax of 40% on any income over ZWL$12 000 000. If you divide ZWL$12 000 000 by the exchange rate, it is a very minimum amount of money. The net effect is that the average Zimbabwean, poorly paid as he is – because he earns slightly above the minimum salary, will end up being overtaxed by the extent of 40%. I urge the Minister to review both the minimum tax entry of ZWL$600 000 and the maximum tax entry before the punitive rate of 40% to increase the amount so that there can be a real benefit to the people of Zimbabwe.”