Madam Boss’s recent revelation that she earns more than US$20,000 from Facebook in a good month may have invited ZIMRA to knock on the doors of Zimbabwe’s top online content creators.
The country’s social media influencers and digital earners including Mai Titi, Comic Elder, DJ Towers, Ritz and Mama Vee have been put on notice to regularise their tax affairs as the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority intensifies its clampdown on undeclared online income.
ZIMRA yesterday warned that the window for voluntary disclosure is closing fast. The tax authority said content creators who may have been operating outside the tax net could be in for a rude awakening once the amnesty period ends on 30 May 2026.
The advent of digital media has revolutionised how influencers earn money from platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. But ZIMRA is now making it clear that income earned from online platforms is firmly on its radar.
“Under the programme, taxpayers who make a full and truthful disclosure will have penalties waived in full, although interest on outstanding amounts will still apply,” ZIMRA said in a public notice.
“Importantly, such disclosures will not automatically trigger audits or criminal proceedings.”
After 30 May, anyone caught dodging tax will face the full force of the law, including penalties and possible prosecution.
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While much of the attention has been on rental income tax – which took effect on 1 January 2026 and targets landlords leasing to commercial tenants – the amnesty covers far more. The scope is broad, covering individuals and businesses across all sectors, including informal traders, transport operators and crucially, online earners.
ZIMRA said it is also watching for cases where individuals possess significant assets or property developments that are inconsistent with their declared income. The voluntary disclosure facility applies across all major tax heads, including Income Tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT).
Earlier this year, the Government clarified the scope of the Digital Services Withholding Tax (DSWT), introduced under Finance Act Number 7 of 2025 and effective from 1 January 2026.
Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, noted that the DSWT applies to payments made to non-resident suppliers for imported digital services such as streaming platforms, online advertising, e-hailing services and other cross-border digital access services.
If you are earning money from online platforms, you need to regularise your tax affairs before 30 May 2026. That means registering with ZIMRA, declaring all income, and paying what is owed.
Those who come forward voluntarily will have penalties waived, although interest on outstanding amounts will still apply. After the deadline, however, full penalties and possible prosecution await non-compliant taxpayers.
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