Fiscalisation refers to configuring of fiscal devices to enable them to record sales and other tax information on the read only fiscal memory at the time of sale for use by ZIMRA in Value Added Tax administration.
All Value Added Tax (VAT) registered operators should Fiscalise as outlined in SI 104 of 2010 as read with SI 148 of 2016 and SI 153 of 2016.
These are electronic devices which contain a “fiscal memory”. A “fiscal memory” is a special read only memory which is permanently built into a fiscalised device to store tax information at the time of the sale.
There are three broad categories of the prescribed fiscalised devices and these are;
- Fiscalised electronic registers, also referred to as electronic tax registers (ETRs);
- Fiscalised printers; and
- Electronic signature devices (ESDs)
VAT registered retail operators are required, for the purposes of recording their business transactions, to use:
- A fiscalised electronic register; or
- A non-fiscalised electronic register together with a fiscal memory device.
All other operators who are required to use such devices but who are not retail operators are required to use:
- An electronic signature device; or
- A fiscalised electronic register; or
- A non-fiscalised electronic register together with a fiscal memory device.
Incentives which are granted to facilitate the Fiscalisation Programme are as follows:
- Registered operators can claim 50% of the cost of acquisition of the fiscal electronic registers as Input Tax on their VAT 7 Return.
- In addition the remaining 50% is spread over two years as and claimed as SIA on the Income Tax Return (ITF 12C).
- Rebate of duty is granted to Approved Suppliers on the importation of fiscal devices and fiscal memory devices.
- No VAT is payable on the importation of fiscal devices by approved suppliers.
- The local supply of fiscal devices and fiscal memory devices is VAT zero-rated.
The approved suppliers will assist you in identifying appropriate devices, install the devices as well as provide training on appropriate usage.
For specific details concerning fiscalised electronic registers and devices, kindly contact the approved suppliers.
For specific ZIMRA related issues, please contact your nearest ZIMRA office.
Fiscal devices should be acquired from the Approved Suppliers. The current list of approved suppliers is provided in the below link:
Fiscal devices should be acquired from the Approved Suppliers. The current list of approved suppliers is provided in the below link:
A Fiscal Tax Invoice is a tax invoice printed from a fiscal device used by a VAT registered operator with the words ‘Fiscal Tax Invoice’ being on a prominent place, bearing all required features as detailed in Section 20 of the VAT Act.
- Not more than 1 fiscal tax invoice shall be issued for each taxable supply;
- Where the original fiscal tax invoice has been lost, replaced or reprinted, , the copy of the Fiscal Tax Invoice should be clearly marked “copy” on it.
The fiscal Tax Invoice must contain the following features as required by Section 20 of the VAT Act as read with paragraph 23 of Finance Act number 7 of 2021:
- The word “Fiscal Tax Invoice” in a prominent place
- The name, address, VAT and Business Partner registration number of the supplier;
- The name and address of the recipient and,
- If the recipient is a registered operator, the VAT and Business Partner registration number of the recipient is required;
- An individual serialized number and the date upon which the fiscal tax invoice is issued;
- A description of the goods or services supplied;
- The quantity or volume of the goods or services supplied;
- The currency used in the transaction
- Either-
- the value of the supply, the amount of tax charged and the consideration for the supply; or
- Where the amount of tax charged is calculated by applying the tax fraction to the consideration, the consideration for the supply and either the amount of the tax charged, or a statement that it includes a charge in respect of the tax and the rate at which the tax was charged.
With effect from 1 January 2022 VAT registered operators can only claim input tax on valid Fiscal Tax Invoices printed from a fiscal device with words ‘Fiscal Tax Invoice’ in a prominent place and other features as highlighted above. For the input tax to be allowed as a deduction, a fiscal tax invoice has to be held by a registered operator within the period a return is required to be furnished or 12 months whichever is the longer period.
With effect from year of assessment beginning 1 January 2023, only a fiscal tax invoice shall be submitted as proof of any expenditure qualifying as deduction for supply of goods or services subject to VAT.